On July 29, 2026, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (USCBP) temporarily halted operations at Montréal-Trudeau International Airport, resulting in the cancellation of approximately 20 flights bound for the United States. The disruption was triggered by a strong odour emanating from varnish used in nearby painting work on construction materials.
Airport officials confirmed that ventilation in the affected area was increased and the Montreal Fire Department inspected the site, concluding there was no health risk associated with the odour. Although USCBP operations are resuming gradually, delays continue to affect U.S.-bound passenger processing. Passengers traveling to the United States were advised to
confirm flight status with their airline before arriving at the airport to account for potential delays or cancellations.
This incident occurred amid the ongoing $10-billion redevelopment project at Montréal-Trudeau International Airport, one of the largest infrastructure overhauls in the airport’s history. Major construction activities related to this transformation are expected to continue throughout the next decade.
