Most people picture Montréal-Trudeau when they hear "airport run," but parts and documents also move through two other airports: Mirabel, northwest of the island, and the Montreal Metropolitan Airport, across the river in Saint-Hubert. Each has a different job, a different geography, and different habits around cargo, customs, and access. Sending a courier to the wrong one, or to the right one without the right details, is an easy way to lose an afternoon.
Quick answer
- Mirabel (YMX) is mainly a cargo airport, about 39 km northwest of downtown Montréal, with aircraft assembly and aerospace plants on or beside it.
- The Montreal Metropolitan Airport in Saint-Hubert (YHU), about 15 km east of downtown, is a smaller airport used by general aviation, flight schools, and business aviation.
- Both are far enough from Dorval that an airport run is a real trip, so plan the timing and the route, not just the destination.
- Give the courier the airport code, the exact facility (cargo terminal, FBO, hangar, or plant), a contact, and the reference number for the shipment.
Three Airports, Three Jobs
| Airport | Where | Typical role | What it means for a courier |
|---|---|---|---|
| Montréal–Trudeau (YUL) | Dorval, on the island of Montréal | The main passenger airport, with cargo handled alongside | Closest to a Dorval-based courier, see our guide to air cargo pickup at YUL |
| Montréal–Mirabel (YMX) | About 39 km northwest of downtown | Mainly cargo, plus medevac, general aviation, and aircraft assembly | A longer run, usually tied to a cargo flight or an aerospace plant |
| Montreal Metropolitan Airport (YHU) | Saint-Hubert borough of Longueuil, south shore | General aviation, flight schools, and business aviation | A river crossing is part of the trip, and a specific FBO or hangar is usually the destination |
Details such as distances and tenants change over time, so treat this table as orientation and confirm specifics before a time-critical run.
Mirabel: Cargo, Aerospace, and Long Runways
Passenger service at Mirabel ended in 2004, and the airport is now used mainly for cargo, medevac, and general aviation. It is also the final assembly site for the Airbus A220 and has a Bell helicopter plant beside it, according to published sources. A 2019 report described it as a cargo-only airport that handled about 88,000 metric tons in 2018 and was receiving a C$107 million investment, including a dedicated air-freight warehouse.
For a courier, that profile means three kinds of runs. The first is a pickup or drop-off tied to a cargo flight, where timing follows the aircraft, and cargo flights often operate outside office hours. The second is a delivery to an aerospace plant or supplier, in line with what we describe in our article on Montréal's aerospace cluster. The third is a general-aviation or medevac-related run, which usually has a specific hangar as its address.
Saint-Hubert: A Smaller Airport With Its Own Rhythm
The airport's own website places it about 15 km from downtown, in Longueuil. It has been operated by a private corporation since 2004 and was rebranded in 2024 as the Montreal Metropolitan Airport. Published sources describe it as an airport of entry, with customs service for general aviation aircraft (up to 15 passengers) provided on a call-out basis. Confirm that arrangement in advance if a shipment depends on it.
Typical courier work here involves business-aviation and flight-school needs: a part for an aircraft in a hangar, documents for an operator, or equipment for a maintenance shop. Our guide to business jet parts logistics covers the aircraft side of that picture.
What to Give the Courier for an Airport Run
| Detail | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Airport code and city | YUL, YMX, and YHU are far apart, and a mix-up costs hours |
| Exact facility | A cargo terminal, an FBO, a hangar, and a plant are different addresses, even inside one airport |
| Flight number or air waybill | Lets the pickup follow the real arrival time, and identifies the shipment at the counter |
| Customs status | Cleared goods can be released, while goods still in bond cannot |
| Authorization | The carrier or terminal may need written authorization for a third party to collect |
| On-site contact | A name and phone number saves time at secured locations |
| Access requirements | Some airside or restricted areas require a pass or an escort, so ask before the courier arrives |
| Where it goes next | A part for an aircraft on the ground changes the urgency, see our article on AOG parts delivery |
Choosing the Right Airport for the Problem
- A shipment arrives on a cargo flight: the answer is on the air waybill, and it can be YUL or YMX.
- An aircraft is waiting in a hangar: go to the airport where the aircraft is, not the biggest one.
- A part is bound for an aerospace plant near an airport: deliver to the plant's receiving dock, not the terminal.
- A time-critical part must reach an operator at Saint-Hubert: a direct run from the source is usually faster than relaying through another airport.
Common Mistakes on Airport Runs
- Giving only the airport name and not the facility.
- Assuming a pickup at one airport can be combined with another stop on the way.
- Leaving out the air waybill or the authorization the terminal asks for.
- Forgetting that goods under customs control cannot simply be handed over.
- Not planning for the extra distance and rush-hour traffic on the way to and from Mirabel and the south shore.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Mirabel still have passenger flights?
Passenger service at Mirabel ended in 2004. Published sources describe the airport today as mainly a cargo airport, with medevac, general aviation, and aircraft assembly. Check the airport's own information for current details.
Which airport should an urgent aircraft part go to?
The one where the aircraft is, or where the part is arriving. Confirm the airport code and the exact facility with the operator before dispatch, and do not assume Montréal-Trudeau.
How far is Mirabel from the island of Montréal?
Published sources place it about 39 km northwest of downtown Montréal. Add margin for traffic on the highways leading north, especially at peak hours.
Can a courier collect a shipment from a cargo terminal?
Usually yes, with the right paperwork: the air waybill or release number, identification, and any written authorization the terminal requires. Goods still under customs control must be released before they can be handed over.
What kind of work happens at the Montreal Metropolitan Airport in Saint-Hubert?
Much of it is general aviation, flight training, and business aviation. The airport reports that a new terminal opened to travellers on June 15, 2026, so check current schedules if passenger service matters to you.
Right Airport, Right Facility, Right Time
Montréal's three airports reward the same discipline: confirm the code, name the facility, give the courier the reference and a contact, and allow for the distance. A short call before the run costs far less than a wrong turn after it.
Rush Expedited Courier handles airport runs from Dorval, with dispatch around the clock. Give us the airport code, the facility, and your reference through the quote form, or look over our aircraft parts courier service.
Sources and Further Reading
- Wikipedia: Montréal–Mirabel International Airport
- Wikipedia: Montreal Metropolitan Airport
- Montreal Metropolitan Airport: official website
- FreightWaves: Montreal air cargo hub Mirabel gets C$107 million boost (2019)