Landing Fees Imposed At Montreal Airports

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Flying to Montreal gets more expensive on June 1 but its not just pilots in La Belle Province who should be concerned, according to a Quebec aviation leader. Michel Charette, former vice president of Aviateurs et pilotes de brousse du Qubec (Quebec Aviators and Bush Pilots Association), told AVweb that despite lobbying by his group and the Canadian Owners and Pilots Association (COPA), ADM, the administrator of Montreals airports, is slapping a $35 one-time landing fee ($1,000 for a yearly pass) on general aviation aircraft using the downtown Trudeau International Airport (Dorval) and a $15 fee ($400 annually) at Mirabel, about 30 miles from the city. The goal, says Charette, is to discourage GA traffic, but its destined to be a nuisance for trans-border traffic headed to the Montreal area. Pierre-Elliott Trudeau Airport (Dorval) is a major stop for customs clearing upon returning from a flight into U.S. or for incoming general aviation traffic from the U.S., especially during the evening and at night, he wrote. Customs service is available at nearby St. Hubert from 8:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekdays only, and theres already a $10 landing fee in place there. Charette said the new fees will also hurt already-struggling FBOs and flight schools at the Montreal airports. It also seems likely that it will annoy the various aircraft manufacturers that have set up shop at Mirabel. COPA and the APBQ are preparing a protest campaign to try to stop the fees.

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