The municipality of Sainte-Julie is proposing a review of certain flight paths at the Montreal Metropolitan Airport (MET) because the noise isn’t landing well with residents. Residents living under the flight paths say noise has increased since the new terminal opened in Saint-Hubert a few months ago. Porter Airlines says it has seen “a great takeoff that exceeded expectations” since arriving at the terminal, but some residents are voicing frustration. Richard Lachapelle says he demands changes “every week,” while Julie Tiberghien says planes zoom right over her head when she’s outside. The noise is reportedly most noticeable in Sainte-Julie. Mayor Mario Lemay says he understands his residents’ complaints, as the number of flights has increased since Porter began operations. In addition to the flight path review, the municipality is also proposing adjustments to approach procedures. “Economically speaking, it’s definitely a plus—I can’t deny that. There are pros, there are cons, and there are things that need to be improved,” Lemay noted. He added that a brief noise, nicknamed “the whale’s cry,” is disturbing many residents. Porter says it is aware of the situation. Sophie Roux, a senior communications advisor at the airline, explained that the “whale’s cry” comes from the landing gear. “There are reasons why we extend the landing gear at such a distance from the airport,” Roux explained. “But we take people’s concerns into account, and we’re exploring every option to minimize any inconvenience this may cause.” The Ontario-based carrier is nonetheless reporting a very positive outcome four months after the new airport opened. Charles Roberge, president of the YHU terminal, maintains that all travellers are satisfied with the travel experience and operations. “We’ve also been honoured by Porter Airlines for being the best of 54 stations in terms of operational performance. So, we can say that we’ve kept our promise,” he stated. - With files from Novo Info
