New CEO tasked with creating a world-class travel experience for future passengers.
Longueuil, April 23, 2024 – YHU Infrastructure Partners (Québec) LP (“YHU Infrastructure Partners”) is pleased to announce the nomination of Charles Roberge as Chief Executive Officer. Charles will oversee the entirety of the commercial operations of the new modern passenger terminal at MET – Montreal Metropolitan Airport in Saint-Hubert (the “MET”), as well as support its construction and development. Charles will take over for Daniel Toutant, the current Interim CEO and ongoing member of the Board of Directors, who will assume the position of President of YHU Infrastructure Partners. In this role, Daniel will focus on managing construction of the terminal, as well as stakeholder engagement.
Roberge was previously President and CEO of Swissport Canada, a leading provider of airport services, where he transformed the organization into a world class operator. He also guided the enterprise through its response to the unprecedented challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, which heavily impacted the aviation sector.
“YHU Infrastructure Partners is committed to building a state-of-the-art terminal and providing a world-class passenger experience at the MET. Charles’ expertise and track record in delivering best-in-class airport services and operational excellence will set us on the path to achieving this goal. Together, we are looking forward to welcoming passengers to the newly expanded MET airport,” said Dmitry Yashnikov, Chairman of the Board of YHU Infrastructure Partners.”
The terminal is a partnership between MET – Montreal Metropolitan Airport and YHU Infrastructure Partners, through which the latter is responsible for building, commissioning and operating the new passenger terminal and for all ground services operations. Scheduled to open in 2025, the new terminal will welcome domestic flights with a capacity of up to four million passengers a year. Porter Airlines will be the anchor airline, offering routes throughout Canada, however the new terminal will also be open to other airlines. The passenger terminal is designed to be 21,000 sq.m. (225,000 sq.ft.) with nine bridged aircraft gates, and an overall modern design aesthetic.
“I am very excited to join YHU Infrastructure Partners and be part of this new operational model that will redefine and elevate the passenger experience, bringing new possibilities to travellers while generating positive outcomes for the region,” said Charles Roberge, CEO of YHU Infrastructure Partners.
“Together with YHU Infrastructure Partners, we are building a new airport model that will increase air travel capacity and optionality, and actively contribute to the economic development of our region. We are looking forward to working with Charles Roberge in bringing this vision to life,” said Yanic Roy, CEO of MET.
About YHU Infrastructure Partners (MET Terminal)
YHU Infrastructure Partners is a partnership between Porter Aviation Holdings Inc. and Macquarie Asset Management to develop and operate a new state-of-the-art passenger terminal at MET – Montreal Metropolitan Airport in Saint-Hubert. The project represents an investment of over C$200 million. The new modern terminal is expected to be in operation in the second half of 2025 and will eventually welcome up to four million passengers a year.
About MET – Montreal Metropolitan Airport
MET – Montreal Metropolitan Airport is a non-profit organization created in 2000, which owns the infrastructure and land. MET aims to develop and exploit the full potential of this major airport for the Montreal region and for the Longueuil aerospace innovation cluster. We are developing a new airport model that prioritizes air transport on a human scale, eco-responsible transition, consultation with the community and integration of cutting-edge practices.With a main runway 2.4 kilometers long, MET – Montreal Metropolitan Airport is able to accommodate the vast majority of commercial aircraft in Canada. Nevertheless, the airport has chosen to design its facilities to admit only the quietest, most eco-responsible single-aisle aircraft. Its partnership with YHU Infrastructure Partners marks the starting point of a major transformation towards commercial aviation that will propel the MET into the top ten largest airports in Canada upon the opening of the terminal. Just 15 kilometers from downtown Montreal, MET – Montreal Metropolitan Airport is strategically located for airlines and business aviation.
