PCL to build passenger terminal in Montreal
By Adam Freill
Commercial ConstructionPorter Airlines has partnered with Macquarie Asset Management for the development of a passenger terminal at Montreal’s Saint-Hubert Airport.
Porter is partnering with Macquarie Asset Management to develop a passenger terminal at Montreal Saint-Hubert Airport. PCL will be the general contractor on the build. (CNW Group/Porter Aviation Holdings Inc.)
Travel options will be increasing for people flying out of Montreal. Porter Aviation Holdings Inc. is entering a partnership with Macquarie Asset Management (MAM) to support development of a passenger terminal at Montreal Saint-Hubert Airport (YHU).
A new company, Partenaires d’infrastructure YHU (Québec) s.e.c. /YHU Infrastructure Partners (Québec) LP, is being formed under joint Porter and MAM ownership to develop the terminal. Construction PCL has been selected as the general contractor for the project. A local management team will operate the facility upon completion. Work will commence this month, with completion scheduled for mid-2025.
“Macquarie and PCL are well-positioned as partners to develop a state-of-the-art passenger terminal at Saint-Hubert,” said Michael Deluce, president and CEO of Porter Aviation Holdings. “These relationships further strengthen the project and will result in a distinct terminal where passengers will genuinely enjoy their experience.”
MAM is the world’s largest infrastructure manager1. The investment in YHU adds to its global airport and airport-related infrastructure experience, which includes current investments in the operators of Mariscal Sucre International Airport in Ecuador; El Dorado International Airport in Colombia; Aberdeen, Glasgow, Farnborough and Southampton Airports in the United Kingdom; and North Queensland and Perth Airports in Australia.
“We are excited to expand our investment footprint in the Americas through partnering with Porter to deliver high-quality infrastructure to the Montreal region,” said Karl Kuchel, CEO of Macquarie Infrastructure Partners. “We look forward to working with key airport stakeholders including the local community to make this important project a success.”
Once completed, the 21,000-square-metre (225,000-sq. ft.) passenger terminal will have nine bridged aircraft gates. The facility will have a modern design aesthetic, with lounge-style seating for all passengers and access to food and beverage concessions, as well as retail vendors. All building systems are expected to operate fully on electric power.
“We are thrilled to embark on this ground-breaking project with Porter and Macquarie Asset Management, leveraging our local expertise and client-centered commitment to excellence,” stated Sébastien Tremblay, vice-president and district manager for Construction PCL in Quebec. “We firmly believe that this collaboration will pave the way for substantial growth and development within Québec’s aviation sector.”
The development is modelled after the revitalization of Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, which Porter has been a part of for the past 17 years. The YHU terminal is expected to provide faster passenger processing than large international airports, resulting in travel time savings to go along with a comfortable departure lounge environment.
“The YHU transformation will increase the airport capacity of the Greater Montreal Area and consolidate regional air service in Quebec. With this major infrastructure, travelers can expect a better experience, while the region receives significant economic return,” explained Yanic Roy, CEO of Montreal Saint-Hubert Airport YHU.
Porter will be an anchor tenant at the new YHU terminal with routes operated throughout Canada. The terminal will also be open to other airlines, and it is expected that a number of carriers will serve the airport. Porter also intends to continue building its presence at Montreal’s Trudeau Airport (YUL).
