The new MET terminal at Montreal Metropolitan Airport (YHU) officially opened for commercial passenger flights on June 15, 2026, reintroducing scheduled Airlines service to the Longueuil site for the first time since 1940.

In a press release issued to mark the opening, airport officials highlighted the facility’s role as a second major commercial hub for the Greater Montreal area. The 21,000-square-meter terminal is designed to ease congestion at Montréal-Trudeau International Airport (YUL) and improve regional connectivity, supported by launch carriers Porter Airlines and Pascan Aviation.

Terminal specifications and launch operations

The newly constructed terminal features nine boarding bridges and a passenger waiting lounge with 900 seats. YHU Infrastructure Partners, a joint venture between Porter Aviation Holdings Inc. and Macquarie Asset Management, spearheaded the development.

Charles Roberge, President and CEO of YHU Terminal, stated that the project aims to create a simpler and smoother customer experience. Porter Airlines is utilizing the facility to launch 11 new routes, deploying its fleet of Embraer E195-E2 aircraft to bypass congested primary hubs. Porter Airlines CEO Michael Deluce noted that increased air service brings more trade and tourism opportunities to the region.

Pascan Aviation is also expanding its regional footprint at the Airports. Yani Gagnon, Co-owner and Executive Vice President of Pascan Aviation, indicated that the new terminal and a commercial agreement with Porter Airlines will allow the carrier to offer more flight options to regional travelers.

Historical context and labor disputes

The Saint-Hubert site originally opened in 1927 as Montreal’s primary aviation hub before commercial passenger operations shifted to Dorval in 1940. Construction on the new MET terminal began in August 2023. According to Simon-Pierre Diamond, Interim President of MET, a recent poll indicates that 80 percent of the population on Montreal’s South Shore supports the airport project.

The opening day was marked by a labor dispute involving one of the launch carriers. Flight attendants for Pascan Aviation, represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Local 5490, have been on strike since March 27, 2026. Striking workers picketed at the airport on June 15. CUPE-Quebec President Patrick Gloutney stated that the union is seeking a second collective agreement to secure better working conditions, alleging that Pascan Aviation is utilizing replacement workers during the strike.

AirPro News analysis

We view the opening of the MET terminal as a significant validation of Porter Airlines’ broader network Strategy. By investing in secondary airport infrastructure, Porter is replicating the model it successfully established at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (YTZ). This approach allows the carrier to offer passengers an alternative to the congestion and longer processing times typical of major international hubs. However, the ongoing labor dispute at Pascan Aviation presents an immediate operational friction point for the regional connectivity model the new terminal aims to foster. The success of this secondary hub will depend heavily on seamless integration between mainline and regional partners.

Sources: MET

This article summarizes reporting by CBS News by Zachary Bynum.

On June 14, 2026, Mooney International announced a formal bid to acquire the assets of bankrupt Spirit Airlines (NK), proposing a complex integration of the liquidated carrier with a Philippine cargo operator and a planned Mexican hub.

According to reporting by CBS News, the acquisition proposal aims to combine the operations of Spirit Airlines, Mooney International, and Philippine-based SEAir into a single aviation ecosystem. The bid emerges just over a month after Spirit Airlines ceased all flight operations on May 2, 2026, a shutdown that resulted in the displacement of approximately 15,000 employees following the carrier’s failure to secure federal bailout funding.

Proposed integration of Spirit Airlines and SEAir

Mooney International, led by Chief Executive Officer Connor Johnson, stated the company intends to retain the Spirit brand while expanding its network connectivity. The proposed business model relies on linking the defunct ultra-low-cost carrier with SEAir, an operator currently flying Boeing 737 freighters, and a yet-to-be-established Mooney hub in Mexico City.

In a media statement cited by CBS News, Mooney International outlined its goals for the acquisition.

“Our objective is not only to preserve the Spirit Airlines legacy, but to create a new chapter focused on operational excellence, enhanced customer experience, expanded route connectivity, sustainable aviation initiatives, and long-term growth.”

Johnson noted the company sees opportunities to generate value through strategic cooperation among the three distinct brands while maintaining their individual corporate identities.

Financial and operational uncertainties

Despite the public announcement, significant details regarding the bid remain undisclosed. The media statement did not provide financial terms, funding sources, or a timeline for the proposed acquisition. Furthermore, the viability of the bid has not been verified through bankruptcy court dockets.

The corporate structure of the bidding entity also presents complexities. While CBS News described Mooney International as a Texas-based company, additional reporting indicates the firm does not yet own the historic Mooney aircraft manufacturing facility in Kerrville, Texas. Johnson confirmed this status to aviation outlet Live and Let’s Fly, stating, “We don’t own Mooney yet. We’ve got a contract for that.”

Air Pass membership sales

Mooney International is currently marketing an “Air Pass” membership program on its website, with prices ranging from $450 to $7,500. The program proposes to tie together flights across Spirit, SEAir, and the planned Mexican airline. At present, none of these three entities are operating passenger flights, as Spirit remains in liquidation and SEAir operates exclusively as a cargo carrier.

AirPro News analysis

We view this acquisition bid with substantial skepticism. The proposal to merge a liquidated US domestic carrier, a Philippine cargo operator, and a non-existent Mexican airline into a cohesive passenger network presents monumental regulatory and logistical hurdles. Furthermore, the solicitation of high-value “Air Pass” memberships for a network entirely devoid of active passenger operations raises immediate consumer protection concerns. Until formal filings appear in the Spirit Airlines bankruptcy docket detailing committed capital and regulatory approval pathways, we consider this bid highly speculative.

Sources: CBS News

General Atomics AeroTec Systems (GA-ATS) has secured the first confirmed order for its newly relaunched Do228 NXT program, announcing an undisclosed non-governmental organization (NGO) as the launch customer for the modernized turboprop.

The announcement, made in a press release on June 11, 2026, follows the aircraft’s official roll-out ceremony in Oberpfaffenhofen, Germany, on June 8, 2026. The sale validates the manufacturer’s decision to resume series production of the Dornier 228 platform, targeting operators requiring short takeoff and landing (STOL) capabilities in low-infrastructure environments. Delivery is scheduled for early 2027.

Humanitarian mission profile and aircraft capabilities

The launch customer plans to utilize the Do228 NXT for humanitarian and special mission operations. In the GA-ATS press release, an NGO representative stated the aircraft will strengthen operational flexibility across various humanitarian scenarios and assist communities when time is critical.

The Do228 NXT retains the core performance characteristics of the legacy Dornier 228 while integrating modernized systems. According to specifications published by Aviation Business News, the aircraft requires a takeoff distance of 445 meters and a landing distance of 362 meters at sea level. It offers a maximum range of up to 3,025 kilometers and a cruise speed of 444 kilometers per hour. The cabin can be configured to carry up to 19 passengers or approximately two tonnes of freighter payload.

Production restart and supply chain stabilization

The launch customer announcement follows a series of program milestones for GA-ATS. The Do228 NXT demonstrator completed its first flight on May 2, 2026. On June 8, 2026, the company hosted a roll-out ceremony attended by approximately 500 guests, where the aircraft was displayed in a blue triangle livery designed to highlight its aerodynamics and multi-role capabilities, as reported by Defence Industry Europe.

To support the production restart, GA-ATS has restructured its manufacturing approach. The company brought wing manufacturing in-house at its Oberpfaffenhofen facility to reduce reliance on third-party suppliers and mitigate component lead times. Florian Rohe, Managing Director at GA-ATS, confirmed to Aviation Business News that major hurdles regarding the supply-chain ramp-up have been addressed. Rohe also noted in a statement to Defense Mirror that the signed contracts and early 2027 delivery timeline confirm the decision to resume production was correct.

The aircraft will make its public debut at the ILA Berlin Air Show from June 10 to June 14, 2026, followed by an appearance at the Farnborough International Airshow in July 2026.

AirPro News analysis

The sale of the first Do228 NXT demonstrates sustained market demand for rugged, unpressurized utility turboprops capable of operating from austere airstrips. By classifying the NXT upgrades as minor changes, GA-ATS avoided the extensive costs and delays associated with a new type certification. We view this regulatory strategy, combined with the decision to vertically integrate wing production, as a pragmatic approach to reviving a legacy airframe. The choice of an NGO as the launch customer aligns perfectly with the aircraft’s historical strength in the special mission and humanitarian sectors, where payload flexibility and short-field performance outweigh the need for pressurized cabin comfort or high-speed cruise.

Sources: General Atomics AeroTec Systems