Montreal-Trudeau wants to force its competitor in Saint-Hubert to give up its new name of “Montreal Metropolitan Airport” because passengers could confuse the two destinations. The disagreement reveals the existence of strong tensions between the organizations.
The Press learned that Aéroports de Montréal (ADM) unsuccessfully demanded that the name change – announced in February – be canceled, before going to the Superior Court to make itself heard. The main person concerned denounces an “intimidation maneuver”.
“ADM saw itself obliged to notify yesterday [lundi] a request to initiate proceedings before the Superior Court of Quebec for the issuance of a permanent injunction,” confirmed communications director Anne-Sophie Hamel by email.
“ADM is first and foremost concerned by the confusion that this change could cause for passengers, from Montreal and elsewhere, considering the very great similarities between the names “Montreal Airports”, “Montreal-Trudeau International Airport” and “Montreal Metropolitan Airport,” said M.me Hamel. Furthermore, “this new name does not reflect the real location of YHU, that is to say Saint-Hubert/Longueuil/Rive-Sud”.
Since 2023, investors – including Porter Airlines – have financed the construction of a new terminal with nine platforms in Saint-Hubert in order to make it a national and regional air transport platform. Montreal-Trudeau maintains exclusivity on international flights.
“Intimidation maneuver”
The MET – Montreal Metropolitan Airport (new official name of the airport located on the South Shore) does not see it the same way and has assured that no turning back is possible.
“We greatly deplore the confrontational attitude and this intimidation maneuver on the part of ADM’s senior management,” CEO Yanic Roy said in writing. “We invite ADM’s senior management to put their corporate interests aside and work with us to improve the services offered to travelers. »
The manager went so far as to add that no confusion would be possible between the two places, since its “singularity will also be manifested by the quality of the experience that will be offered to travelers passing through the MET”.
Mr. Roy pointed out that ADM had only registered the “Aéroports de Montréal” trademark last February with the competent federal authorities, at the same time as it revealed the new identity of its airport.
“With the evolution of the market, the monopoly of the Montreal-Trudeau airport cannot be eternal,” he continued. “Already, the world’s major cities have several airports; this is done without confusion, in complementarity and for the benefit of citizens. »
“Incredible potential”
Ultimately, investors anticipate that the new terminal located in Saint-Hubert will welcome 4 million travelers each year.
“Saint-Hubert has incredible potential as a complementary secondary airport for Montreal. Its location is convenient for a significant part of the local market and allows easy access to downtown Montreal, explained the big boss of Porter Airlines, Michael Deluce, in a 2023 press release.
“We have proven the relevance of this concept at Billy Bishop, one of the best urban airports in the world, and we look forward to working with our partners in Saint-Hubert to make this project a success,” he continued.
His company has already expressed its intention to connect Longueuil to Vancouver, St. John’s (Newfoundland) and the two Toronto airports. No night flights will be offered.
In addition to Porter Airlines connections, the new airport will notably welcome the regional carrier Pascan.
The project, worth 200 million, is financed by the Australian firm Macquarie Asset Management and by a loan from the Canada Infrastructure Bank (CIB).