It was a historic year at Jean Lesage International Airport in 2017. Here are ten events that marked the year!
10) CS300 makes a splash on its maiden North American flight
Bombardier’s new CS300 made a real splash on May 8, 2017, on its first visit to YQB. The special fundraising flight for the Quebec Society for Disabled Children was welcomed with a water salute.
9) Matthew and Marie-Joëlle get engaged at YQB
“Passenger first” at YQB means helping plan beautiful moments like this. Our warmest congratulations to Matthew and Marie-Joëlle, who got engaged at YQB on September 5, 2017, just before departing for Indonesia. We wish the young couple all the best!
8) New and improved shopping and dining facilities
In July 2017 YQB unveiled the first phase of new and improved shopping and dining facilities:
- The Loop, a duty free shop (pictured)
- The Nourcy café & restaurant and bar island
- Two Relay shops
- Two ICE international currency exchanges
The arrival of a new Starbucks in summer 2018 was also announced in December 2017. Two other restaurants are soon to be announced, so stay tuned!
7) 500 people take part in YQB 2018 simulations
A total of 500 airport staff and local Quebec City residents pitched in on a special YQB 2018 test run of passenger arrival and departure paths at the new international terminal in October and November. These simulations of the actual passenger experience helped us identify areas in need of fine-tuning before the official opening.
6) YQB VIP lounge voted North America Lounge of the Year in 2017 by Priority Pass members
Jean Lesage International Airport’s VIP lounge was voted North America Lounge of the Year in 2017, all categories combined, by Priority Pass members. YQB won the same award in 2015 and was awarded a “Highly Commended” rating the following year.
5) Runway repairs completed and Runway 06-24 reopens
After years of planning and two complete summers of work, all runway repairs were completed on August 9, 2017, at 4 p.m., right on schedule. In addition to airport staff, over 200 external workers helped resurface the two YQB runways, redo surface drainage, and replace navigation aids and runway lighting systems.
4) YQB chosen to host major air industry rendezvous Routes Americas 2019
On September 24, 2017, in Barcelona, Spain, YQB was chosen to host Routes Americas 2019, the premier global meeting place for aviation stakeholders. This annual event—being held in Canada for the first time ever–will attract over 1,000 aviation professionals to Québec City, including over 80 airlines and some 300 airports and 50 tourist authorities, to plan and negotiate the future of air travel.
3) Launch of YQB-YUL WestJet service
On June 15, 2017, WestJet launched its new YQB-YUL service, adding up to 70 weekly flights from and to Québec City (YQB). Passengers from the Greater Québec City area now enjoy more frequent service to Montréal (4 daily flights) and Toronto (2 extra daily flights) and faster, more convenient connections to other partner airlines serving Europe and Asia.
2) Official opening of new international terminal
Québec City’s business and political elite gathered on November 16, 2017, at YQB for the official opening of the new international terminal. It took years of advance planning, months of construction, and the work of thousands of to deliver the new facility—right on time and on budget—a key component of YQB’s master strategy to position itself in the major leagues of world airports and to welcome the two million passengers that will pass through its gates by 2020.
1) New international terminal opens to the public
YQB celebrated an important milestone in its development on December 11, 2017, with the opening to the public of its new international terminal. The first passengers happily set foot in the new facility around 6 a.m., warmly welcomed by dozens of airport employees.