Odour disrupts U.S. customs operations at Montreal Trudeau Airport; flights gradually resume as delays are expected

U.S. Customs and Border Protection suspended operations at Montreal Trudeau Airport on Wednesday morning due to a strong odour from varnish related to ongoing construction work. This led to the cancellation of approximately 20 U.S.-bound flights and significant delays in passenger processing.¹³⁴

Around 8 a.m., customs officials halted operations, prompting a backlog as they refused to staff the preclearance area. The situation was assessed by the Montreal Fire Department, which confirmed that the odour posed no health risk. An airport spokesperson, Eric Forest, stated, “Delays in passenger processing should be expected.”

By 12:45 p.m., preclearance operations resumed, although passengers were still advised to prepare for delays. The airport's PA system announced the gradual resumption of flights to the United States, but the lingering effects of the odour continued to impact operations. Travellers were encouraged to check their flight status before heading to the airport.²⁵

While the unpleasant smell caused significant disruption, officials reassured the public that it did not pose any health risks. The situation highlights the challenges airports face during construction and the importance of maintaining safe environments for travelers.