Toronto and Montreal Upgrade Airport Infrastructure as Canada Prepares for Bigger Summer Travel

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Toronto and Montreal airports are now ready to get their acts together amid another hectic summer season in Canada, where passengers can expect changes before even reaching the downtown area as more passengers, terminals, improved processing facilities, and better connections by public transport are making the trip more interesting than ever. While Toronto Pearson Airport has embarked on a multi-billion-dollar renovation project, Montreal is welcoming its new commercial airport terminal and better airport transit connections, providing more options for getting through two of the largest Canadian cities. And yes, it all matters to tourism.

Toronto Pearson Is Getting a Major Makeover

Toronto Pearson is at the heart of the transformation.

Canada’s busiest airport recorded 23.5 million passengers during the first half of 2026, an increase of 3.5% compared with the same period in 2025. Passenger numbers reached 12.4 million in the second quarter alone, up 3.3% year on year.

The airport is responding with Pearson LIFT, a long-term infrastructure programme designed to accommodate rising passenger demand.

In July, Pearson announced a C$1.5 billion Terminal 1 and Terminal 3 Revitalisation Programme, covering expanded terminal areas, upgraded check-in facilities, passenger processing improvements, modernised security screening, better baggage systems, charging facilities and refreshed lounges.

That is not a tiny airport refresh. It is a major attempt to make the passenger journey work better as international travel volumes keep moving upwards.

Summer Travel Is Bringing Serious Passenger Pressure

Toronto Pearson had already prepared for an exceptionally busy summer linked to the FIFA World Cup and broader seasonal travel.

From June through Labour Day weekend, the airport expected up to 17 million arriving and departing passengers, with peak days reaching approximately 185,000 passengers across more than 1,000 flights.

For international visitors, Pearson is one of the principal gateways into Toronto and the wider Ontario tourism economy.

Travellers arriving here can connect with downtown Toronto, Niagara Falls, regional Ontario destinations and onward domestic flights across Canada.

The airport’s modernisation therefore matters beyond the terminal itself. Faster processing and better connections can influence how easily visitors begin their Canadian holidays.

Montreal Is Adding Another Airport Option

Montreal has its own airport story, and it is rather interesting.

On 15 June 2026, the new passenger terminal at Montréal Metropolitan Airport in Saint-Hubert opened, creating a second commercial airport for Greater Montreal. The facility initially operates flights by Porter Airlines and Pascan Aviation to destinations across Canada.

Located around 15 kilometres from downtown Montreal, MET provides another departure option for travellers in the metropolitan region.

For tourism, additional airport capacity can help distribute passenger demand while giving visitors and residents another way to connect with destinations around Canada.

The new terminal is particularly relevant to travellers exploring Quebec and combining Montreal with other Canadian destinations.

Montreal-Trudeau Is Improving Ground Connections

Meanwhile, Montreal-Trudeau International Airport is also strengthening its links with the city’s public transport network.

A new 815 bus service began connecting YUL directly with the Des Sources REM station from 17 June, with frequent service during peak periods.

That gives travellers another connection between the airport and Montreal’s regional transit network.

The airport recorded 10.8 million passengers during the first half of 2026, representing a 1.2% increase from the same period of 2025. International passenger traffic increased by 2.4%, while domestic traffic rose 4.0%.

For international tourists, those numbers matter because Montreal is not simply serving local travel. It is handling a substantial flow of visitors arriving from overseas before they move into Quebec and beyond.

Toronto and Montreal Are Connecting Airports With the Wider Journey

The airport upgrades are also being accompanied by broader transport improvements.

In Montreal, VIA Rail launched the co-development phase of the Dorval Multimodal Hub in August 2026. The proposed integrated station will bring VIA Rail, exo services and the shuttle connection to Montréal-Trudeau together in one location, near the Dorval terminus operated by STM.

For tourists, this is exactly the sort of infrastructure change that can make a multi-city Canadian itinerary easier.

Arrive by air, connect with rail and public transport, and continue towards another destination without turning every transfer into an exhausting logistical exercise.

Why This Matters for Tourism

The real tourism story is connectivity.

Visitors increasingly combine major cities with regional destinations, and airports are the starting point for those journeys.

Toronto offers access to Niagara Falls, Ontario’s wine regions and major Canadian cities, while Montreal provides a gateway to Quebec’s cultural and outdoor destinations.

As passenger volumes rise, infrastructure becomes part of the visitor experience. A smoother arrival can mean less time negotiating queues and transfers and more time exploring.

Key Stats

• 23.5 million: Toronto Pearson passengers during the first half of 2026.
• 10.8 million: Passengers at Montréal-Trudeau during the first half of 2026.
• C$1.5 billion: Toronto Pearson Terminal 1 and 3 revitalisation programme.
• C$3 billion: Initial Pearson LIFT investment in airside and baggage infrastructure.
• 65 million: Annual passenger capacity Pearson aims to support in the early 2030s.
• 15 km: Approximate distance of Montréal Metropolitan Airport from downtown Montreal.

Timeline & Events

11 May 2026 — Toronto Pearson launched the first major construction phase of Pearson LIFT with a C$3 billion investment.

15 June 2026 — Montréal Metropolitan Airport’s new passenger terminal opened in Saint-Hubert.

17 June 2026 — The new 815 bus connection between YUL and the Des Sources REM station began service.

21 July 2026 — Toronto Pearson announced the C$1.5 billion Terminal 1 and Terminal 3 Revitalisation Programme.

12 August 2026 — VIA Rail launched the co-development phase of the Dorval Multimodal Hub.

FAQ

1. Which airport is Canada’s busiest?
Toronto Pearson is Canada’s largest and busiest airport, handling 23.5 million passengers during the first half of 2026.

2. Does Montreal now have two commercial airports?
Yes. Montréal Metropolitan Airport in Saint-Hubert opened its new passenger terminal on 15 June 2026, adding a second commercial airport for Greater Montreal.

3. How can these upgrades benefit tourists?
Expanded airport capacity, improved passenger processing and stronger rail and public transport links can make arrivals, departures and onward journeys across Canada easier to manage.

Dates

11 May 2026 — Pearson LIFT construction begins.

15 June 2026 — Montréal Metropolitan Airport terminal opens.

17 June 2026 — YUL’s 815 bus connection begins.

21 July 2026 — Pearson announces C$1.5 billion terminal revitalisation.

12 August 2026 — Dorval Multimodal Hub enters co-development.

Conclusion

Toronto and Montreal have been pumping millions into the infrastructure fueling Canada’s tourism revolution, and the improvements go well beyond airport interiors that gleam like gold. Toronto Pearson is boosting capacity and updating facilities, whereas Montreal is diversifying its airport offerings and improving integration between air travel, rail travel and transit. The upshot for overseas travellers may be a better-connected trip through Canada starting with the plane landing. As demand during summer months continues to put pressure on Canada’s top ports of entry, such projects are fast becoming a key part of Canada’s tourism infrastructure.