LONGUEUIL — Early risers were lucky enough to have a front-row seat yesterday for the departure of Porter Airlines’ inaugural flight from MET – Montreal Metropolitan Airport (YHU) – to Vancouver, honoured by a water cannon salute.

The excitement was palpable among the very first passengers to board Porter’s flights to Vancouver, then Toronto. And the feedback? Positive: from the streamlined check-in procedures, a drive distance comparable to YUL (but with airfares sometimes up to three times lower) and infrastructure designed to facilitate the traveller experience.

Porter Airlines CEO Michael Deluce at the June 15 water cannon salute at MET (photo credit Joelle Simard-Lapointe)

Several key players from the economic, tourism and transportation sectors of Montreal and the South Shore, accompanied by numerous media representatives, gathered for the official ceremony and the traditional symbolic ribbon-cutting. In a festive atmosphere, punctuated by coffee, mocktails and a continental breakfast, the participants shared their vision and optimism regarding the future of the MET, first previewed back in March.

“IT DOESN’T HAVE TO BE STRESSFUL”

“We’re launching a new airport, but we also need to change travellers’ habits, ” said Simon-Pierre Diamond, interim president of the MET. According to Diamond, the goal is to rekindle the desire to travel by focusing on a simpler and more pleasant experience: “It doesn’t have to be stressful, complicated or require arriving three hours early.”

Aimed primarily at travellers in Greater Montreal, the MET’s current ad campaign highlights the YHU environment and gives a voice to taxi drivers who testify to the ease of access to the airport.

ATTRACTIVE FARES

Beyond its accessibility, the MET is counting on a more efficient and faster experience in order to meet the needs of Montrealers and residents of the South Shore, 80% of whom said they were in favour of the project, while increasing the airport capacity of the metropolitan region. Without revealing the details of the pricing, Diamond pointed out that MET airport fees are 75% lower than those of PET.

For his part, Michael Deluce, CEO, Porter Airlines, believes this new offering will help bring regions closer together. “By collaborating with Pascan Aviation, we are connecting Canada to Quebec and Quebec to Canada. With the launch of 11 new domestic routes, we are now able to offer greater frequency and attractive fares, thus promoting local tourism. This represents an important step for the economy and tourism of Montreal, Quebec and Canada.”

Those domestic routes from MET include St. John’s, Toronto City (YTZ), Toronto Pearson (YYZ) and Vancouver, all launched June 15, plus Edmonton (June 16), Calgary (June 17), Halifax (June 17), Charlottetown (June 18), Winnipeg (June 18), Moncton (June 19) and Hamilton (June 22).

Checking in with Porter Airlines at MET (photo credit Joelle Simard-Lapointe)

MAJOR TURNING POINT

According to Carlo Rinaldi, Director of Development for Quebec at Porter Airlines, the opening of the MET’s YHU Terminal marks a turning point for air travel in the region. “The last airport infrastructure in Canada dates back 20 years to Billy Bishop in Toronto. Opening the MET’s YHU Terminal in Quebec and having the opportunity to collaborate with travel advisors and various stakeholders should change the way people in Greater Montreal travel,” he said.

Despite the current challenges and economic situation, he remains confident, supported by “strong demand and the number of bookings from business and leisure travellers.”

The stylish YHU Terminal at MET (photo credit Joelle Simard-Lapointe)

STRENGTHENING TIES

Noting that tourism is a major driver of economic development (it represents the fourth largest sector for foreign exchange exports and generates $19 billion in tourism spending in Quebec), Amélie Dionne, Quebec’s Minister of Tourism, emphasized the importance of increasing the range of options and accessibility for travellers.

“The more choice and accessibility we offer tourists, the more likely we are to attract them to our region. Since the quality of our airport reception and service is central to our brand with travellers, everything at the Met has been designed to offer an exceptional customer experience,” she said.

Lead image caption: Yani Gagnon, Co-owner and VP, Pascan Aviation; Charles Roberge, President and CEO, YHU Terminal; Amélie Dionne, Quebec Minister of Tourism;  Catherine Fournier, Mayor of Longueuil; Simon-Pierre Diamond, Interim President, MET – Montreal Metropolitan Airport; and Michael Deluce, CEO, Porter Airlines at MET on June 15, 2026 (photo credit Joelle Simard-Lapointe)