- U.S. Customs and Border Protection paused operations Wednesday morning due to a strong odour from construction materials.
- Several flights bound for the United States were cancelled as a direct result of the operations suspension.
- The airport confirmed that the smell was linked to interior painting work.
- Around 20 U.S.-bound flights have been cancelled due to the situation.
- The Montreal fire department inspected the site and determined that the situation did not pose a health risk.
- Ventilation in the affected area has been increased to address the odour issue.
- Major construction work is ongoing at the airport as part of a $10-billion transformation project.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (USCBP) suspended operations at Montreal-Trudeau International Airport Wednesday morning due to a strong odour linked to construction materials, resulting in the cancellation of approximately 20 flights to the United States.1
The airport authority confirmed that the smell prompted the suspension, with flights to major cities like Washington National and Chicago O'Hare affected. An airport spokesperson stated, "Every effort is being made to resume operations as quickly as possible," but no specific timeline has been provided for when U.S.-bound screening will resume.3
The Montreal fire department inspected the area and determined that the situation posed no health risk. Passengers were advised to check their flight status before heading to the airport. "The lines are not moving in there at all," said passenger Umar Chaudry, expressing frustration over the lack of information.5
The airport is undergoing a $10-billion transformation, which includes significant construction work. John Gradek, an aviation expert, described the incident as an "industrial accident", emphasizing the need for safety protocols in such situations.7
As operations remain suspended, travelers are left in uncertainty, with many flights already cancelled or delayed.
“Around 20 U.S.-bound flights have been cancelled as U.S. Customs and Border Protection temporarily halted operations due to a smell linked to interior painting work. The Montreal fire department inspected the area and confirmed that the situation does not pose a health risk, while the airport is working to resume normal operations.”
PAXnews.com
CP24
