A terminal for commercial flights from Montreal’s South Shore to cities like Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary and Halifax is at the heart of Saint-Hubert Airport’s expansion plans, which are expected to cost at least $200 million.

The terminal will cover 40,000 square metres east of the airport and host up to four million passengers a year. Toronto-based Porter Airlines will operate out of the airport located in Longueuil, Que., though the airport says it is inviting more airlines to do so as well. 

There are also plans to build a 130-room Holiday Inn Express Hotel next to the airport that would open at the same time as the terminal.

The project was unveiled on Monday during a news conference with Quebec Transport Minister Geneviève Guilbault and Longueuil Mayor Catherine Fournier.

Flights to Toronto would land at either the Pearson International and Billy Bishop airports. Pascan, an airline based in Longueuil, also plans to increase the number of regional flights it offers.

“Our terminal meets a growing need to ensure a service of quality for travellers in Quebec. We also intend to contribute to the  development of new technologies in the field of aviation,” the Saint-Hubert Aiport CEO Yanic Roy said in a statement.

In 2018, the airport inaugurated a new runway capable of handling larger aircraft, such as the Boeing 737-200. 

While trying to position itself as a major player in the aviation sector, the airport has dealt with noise complaints from nearby residents. Earlier this month, the city and airport reached an agreement to ban commercial flights from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m., starting next year. 

Currently, about 200 airplanes fly out of Saint-Hubert Airport.

Work on the new terminal will begin in the spring and is expected to be completed by fall 2024.