Montreal–Saint-Hubert Airport

Montreal–Saint-Hubert Airport is a major regional airport located in the city of Longueuil on the South Shore of the Greater Montreal area in Quebec, Canada. It primarily serves general aviation, flight training, and cargo operations, functioning as a key reliever for the busier Montréal–Trudeau International Airport. The airport is owned by Transport Canada and operated by Aéroports de Montréal.

History

The airport was established in 1927, making it one of the oldest in Canada, and was originally known as Saint-Hubert Airport. It served as Montreal's primary international airport until the opening of Montréal–Dorval International Airport (now Montréal–Trudeau International Airport) in 1941. During World War II, it was a crucial training base for the Royal Canadian Air Force and hosted the No. 13 Service Flying Training School as part of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan. The facility was also home to the renowned Royal Canadian Air Force aerobatic team, the Snowbirds, for many years. In the post-war era, it transitioned to a focus on civil aviation, with significant expansion of its runways and infrastructure occurring throughout the latter half of the 20th century.

Facilities

The airport resides at an elevation of 90 feet (27 m) above mean sea level and features three asphalt runways: 06L/24R and 06R/24L, each measuring 6,000 by 150 feet (1,829 m × 46 m), and runway 10/28, which is 4,000 by 100 feet (1,219 m × 30 m). Its main passenger terminal, while smaller than that of Montréal–Trudeau International Airport, offers essential services. The airfield is a major hub for flight training, housing several schools including the Centre québécois de formation aéronautique (CQFA) and the École nationale d'aérotechnique. It also contains extensive facilities for general aviation, corporate aviation, and aircraft maintenance companies like M1 Composites Technology.

Airlines and destinations

The airport has historically hosted scheduled passenger service, though such operations have fluctuated. As of recent years, it is primarily served by regional and charter carriers. Past scheduled operators have included Pascan Aviation, which connected the airport to destinations within Quebec and the Maritimes, and Air Canada Express, which operated flights to Toronto Billy Bishop Airport. Current and recent scheduled service has been provided by airlines such as Pronto Airways and Kyrgyzstan Air Company. The airport is a significant base for cargo operators, facilitating freight movements within the region.

Accidents and incidents

On 17 November 1963, a Trans-Canada Air Lines Douglas DC-8F cargo flight, operating for Air Canada, crashed shortly after takeoff, resulting in the deaths of all three crew members; the investigation cited engine failure and pilot error. A notable accident occurred on 2 June 1973, when a Douglas DC-8 operated by Aer Turas crashed during a training flight, killing two of the four people on board. More recently, on 29 October 2018, a Cessna 172 operated by the Centre québécois de formation aéronautique crashed in a field near the airport after an engine failure, resulting in one fatality.

See also

* Montréal–Trudeau International Airport * Montréal–Mirabel International Airport * Aéroports de Montréal * List of airports in the Montreal area

Category:Airports in Quebec Category:Transport in Longueuil Category:Airports established in 1927 Category:1927 establishments in Quebec