Montreal Trudeau Airport Braces for March Break Travel Disruptions

Montreal’s Trudeau International Airport is preparing for a busy March break travel period, anticipating significant traffic congestion exacerbated by ongoing construction and the demolition of a main parking garage. Passengers are being urged to plan ahead and allow ample time to navigate the airport.

Traffic Concerns and Passenger Volume

Approximately 58,000 passengers are expected to pass through the airport each day for the next ten days, according to airport spokesperson Anne-Sophie Hamel . While this figure is slightly lower than last year—due in part to flight cancellations to Cuba stemming from fuel shortages—travellers should still anticipate potential delays and increased congestion. The airport has experienced significant traffic issues in recent years, with passengers sometimes forced to exit their vehicles and carry luggage to the terminal to avoid missing flights .

Construction and Parking Limitations

The current surge in traffic coincides with the demolition of a major parking garage, significantly reducing available parking spaces. This reduction is expected to contribute to increased congestion in the airport’s main drop-off zones . A $10-billion, 10-year plan is underway to increase passenger capacity and reconfigure airport access points, with new permanent drop-off zones scheduled for completion by 2028 .

Mitigation Measures and Recommendations

Airport authorities have implemented several measures to mitigate the anticipated disruptions. Two alternative pickup and drop-off zones, complete with shuttle service to the terminal, have been added . Passengers are strongly encouraged to reserve parking spots in advance and arrive at the airport at least three hours before their scheduled departure time , .