Montreal’s (Almost) New Airport Opened Last Month

When it comes to new airports, some are built from scratch, while others are what you might call “upcycled.” The MET-Montreal Metropolitan Airport falls into the latter category, having officially stepped up as the Quebec capital’s second aviation hub over the past month.

One of Canada’s Oldest Airports

If the name “Montreal Metropolitan Airport” (or MET) doesn’t ring a bell, you might recognize its former title: Montreal Saint-Hubert Airport. Inaugurated in 1927, it actually ranks among the oldest airports in Canada. However, a lot of history unfolded between its early Saint-Hubert days and the modern MET era.

As an aviation pioneer for the Montreal region and the country at large, the airport started out handling commercial flights and mail runs. That was until it was “requisitioned” during WWII, transforming into a military base in 1941—a status it maintained throughout the Cold War.

During that same era, the site became a major hub for aerospace manufacturing and flight training. Eventually, civilian operations crept back in, bringing charter flights, business aviation, and minor regional routes. Despite this mishmash of activities—often heavily relying on helicopters and small aircraft—Saint-Hubert consistently held its ground as one of Canada’s top 20 busiest airports for years.

Fast forward to the 2010s, when plans for a new terminal were finally set in motion. In 2024, the facility was officially rebranded as the MET, aiming to serve as a modern complement—if not a downright alternative—to Montreal-Trudeau International Airport (YUL). That ambition became a reality last month when Porter Airlines joined Pascan Aviation on the tarmac, focusing heavily on regional passenger transport. More airlines are expected to follow suit soon.

Getting There: Closer Than Trudeau

Located in Longueuil, roughly 9 miles (15 km) from downtown Montreal, the MET is arguably more accessible than Trudeau. A dedicated shuttle service, the METbus, links the terminal directly to the Longueuil-Université Sherbrooke metro station every 35 minutes, seamlessly dropping you right into the heart of the city.

What Travelers Need to Know

For passengers, the MET experience revolves around a brand-new, 215,000-square-foot (20,000 m²) terminal equipped with nine boarding gates, which officially opened its doors on June 15. Once fully ramped up, the facility expects to handle up to 4 million passengers a year.

Important Connection Notice for US Travelers:

Currently, the MET is exclusively cleared for domestic Canadian flights. All international operations—including all incoming flights from the United States—remain strictly at Montreal-Trudeau.

If you are flying in from the US or overseas and plan to connect to another Canadian destination out of the MET, be aware of this split in operations. You will need to build enough time into your itinerary for a ground transfer to switch airports in the middle of your journey.