On Wednesday, 29 July 2026, U.S. Customs and Border Protection temporarily suspended operations at Montréal-Trudeau International Airport in Montreal, Quebec. This suspension affected U.S.-bound flights, resulting in the cancellation of around 20 flights.
The disruption was caused by a strong odour of varnish associated with painting work from nearby construction materials at the airport. U.S. Customs and Border Protection began gradually resuming operations after the suspension, with airport officials stating every effort was being made to restore U.S. Customs services as quickly as possible.
Health and Safety Assessment
The Montreal Fire Department inspected the site and determined the varnish odour did not pose any
health risk. To address the issue, ventilation was increased in the affected area during the ongoing construction activities.
Passenger Impact and Advisories
Passengers requiring U.S. customs clearance at Montréal-Trudeau International Airport faced cancellations of around 20 U.S.-bound flights and possible delays as operations resumed. Travelers were advised to check the status of their flights with their airlines before travelling to the airport. Airport officials cautioned that delays and cancellations could continue during the gradual resumption of customs processing.
Official Response and Airport Redevelopment
Montreal-Trudeau International Airport officials apologized for the inconvenience, thanking passengers for their patience and understanding. They confirmed that the suspension was caused by the varnish odour
linked to painting work during a $10-billion redevelopment project. This transformation is one of the largest infrastructure undertakings in the airport’s history and is expected to continue over the next decade, with major construction ongoing nearby.
Official Statements
Montreal-Trudeau International Airport officials stated: “USCBP operations are gradually resuming. However, passengers should expect delays. The temporary suspension was caused by the odour of varnish associated with painting work. While the odour may have been unpleasant, it did not pose any health risk. We thank passengers for their patience and understanding.” In a separate statement, they added: “Customs and Border Protection has temporarily suspended
its operations due to an odour from construction materials. Several flights to the United States have been cancelled. Every effort is being made to resume operations as quickly as possible. Passengers are encouraged to check the status of their flight with their airline before travelling to the airport. For any questions regarding U.S. preclearance operations, please contact USCBP directly. We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your understanding.”
