Montréal–Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport facts for kids

Montréal–Trudeau International Airport (called YUL by airlines) is a big international airport in Dorval, Quebec, Canada. It's the main airport for Montreal and the areas around it, including parts of Quebec, eastern Ontario, and even some US states like Vermont and northern New York.

The airport is named after Pierre Elliott Trudeau, who was Canada's 15th Prime Minister. He was also the father of the current Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau. Before its current name, many people knew it as Montréal–Dorval International Airport.

How the Airport is Managed

The airport is run by a group called Aéroports de Montréal (ADM). This group is a non-profit, which means they don't try to make money for owners. They also manage another airport near Montreal called Montréal–Mirabel, which mostly handles cargo flights now.

The Canadian government, through Transport Canada, owns Montréal–Trudeau. Aéroports de Montréal leases the airport from Transport Canada for 60 years. This is part of Canada's plan for its airports.

A Very Busy Airport

Montréal–Trudeau is the busiest airport in Quebec. It's also the third busiest airport in all of Canada for both passengers and flights. In 2019, over 20 million passengers used the airport!

It's a major gateway into Canada. About 65% of its passengers are on international flights, which is a very high number for a Canadian airport. It's also one of eight Canadian airports where you can clear US customs before you even leave Canada. This makes travel to the US much easier.

A Hub for Airlines

Montréal–Trudeau is one of the main hubs for Air Canada, which is Canada's biggest airline. A hub is like a central station where many flights connect. From here, Air Canada mainly serves Quebec, the Atlantic Provinces, and Eastern Ontario.

Airlines at Trudeau offer direct flights all year round to five different continents: Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, and South America. It's one of only two airports in Canada that flies to so many continents!

Besides Air Canada, Montréal–Trudeau is also the main base for other airlines like Air Inuit and Air Transat. Sunwing Airlines and Porter Airlines also use it as an important base for their flights.

Other Activities at the Airport

The airport isn't just for passenger flights. Many other aviation companies are based here. For example, Bombardier Aerospace has a factory at the airport where they build business jets.

There are also companies that maintain and repair aircraft, like Air Transat and Air Inuit. Transport Canada also has a facility here to maintain its own government planes.

Images for kids

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  Air Canada airplanes parked at the old aeroquay in 1982

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  An Air Canada Boeing 777-300ER performing a fly past, with Air Canada's corporate headquarters in foreground, in 2007

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  The international arrivals hall and baggage claim opened in 2005.

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  International jetty under construction in 2004

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  Air France A380-800 at gate 55 in 2012

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  The new Marriott hotel and U.S. Departures wing

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  Overview of the international and transborder jetties during the expansion project in 2014

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  The newly built expansion of the international jetty

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  One of the biggest duty-free shops in Canada, The Loop, seen here near gate 51

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  The far end of the domestic jetty on a quiet afternoon

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  The international jetty near The Loop

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  The international jetty near gate 63

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  The interior of the U.S. Departures wing

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  Intercity and regional transit hubs near Montréal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport in Dorval

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  Trudeau Airport at night

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  Overview of Air Canada Base and hangars along Côte-Vertu Road

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  Future Montréal–Trudeau train station located under the new Marriott hotel

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  Dorval station (Via Rail)

See also

In Spanish: Aeropuerto Internacional Pierre Elliott Trudeau para niños