After the launch of the Canada Line to Vancouver International Airport, Montreal sent its greetings with a hint of jealousy. A rail link to Montreal airport has been in discussion for many years, and airport authority is ‘very, very eager to see things move forward', cites the Canadian press. “Montreal's Trudeau International Airport is close to downtown but there's only one practical way to go between the destinations: by car, shuttle or taxi. A rail link to Trudeau has been under discussion for decades”, writes The Globe and Mail.

According to the airport, the market share of public transit (mainly bus) among passengers is less than 3%.

The new departures area at Montréal-Trudeau Airport would be the last major step in the airport’s transformation.

“Besides boosting departure capacity for United States-bound flights, this new facility simplifies passengers’ route through the terminal. In addition, redevelopment of the former U.S. departures area will allow us to progressively add departure capacity for international and domestic flights in the existing central terminal building,” says ADM President and CEO James Cherry.

With a floor area of more than 18,000 square metres, the departures hall is equipped with 58 traditional check-in counter stations and 48 self-serve check-in kiosks, which represents 50% greater capacity.

Approximately 1.5 million departing passengers are expected to use the new area each year.

The building also houses an underground parking lot with 500 spaces on three levels, and has room for the future rail-shuttle station as well as ADM administrative offices.

A Steering Committee composed of the main project partners has been established and tasked with setting out directions for the project and approving all budgets, deadlines, financing, studies and reports.

According to The Globe and Mail, the steering committee is supposed to announce the route for the Montreal link by the end of this year but the trains won’t start rolling for at least five years.

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