COPA Engages with Mirajet Over Fee Increases at Mirabel Airport

Summary of the Issue

General aviation stakeholders at Mirabel Airport (CYMX) in Quebec have faced significant challenges following the implementation of new landing and service fees by Aéroports de Montréal (ADM). Among the most notable changes was a landing fee of approximately $65 per movement, a major increase that disproportionately affected flight schools, recreational pilots, and other general aviation users.

These fee hikes have been criticised for making operations at Mirabel economically unsustainable for many, with flight training costs reportedly increasing dramatically. Despite Mirabel remaining a publicly owned airport, managed under contract by ADM, airport leadership chooses to set exclusionary policies without stakeholder collaboration or oversight from Transport Canada. The general aviation community has expressed concern that these policies and rising costs threaten the viability of Mirabel as an airport for non-commercial aviation, and set a concerning precedent for other organisations to follow. 

Mirajet, a COPA member and tenant of Mirabel airport, has been actively championing the cause of General Aviation at the airport and has been working alongside COPA leaders since the fees were announced. 

What is COPA doing?

In response to the concerns raised over the fee increases, COPA's President and Aviation Operations team continue to engage and collaborate with Mirajet's President and CEO to build awareness of the issue with all levels of government, from municipal representatives to federal officials. Meetings with the municipal council, Transport Canada executives, provincial and federal political leaders, have all focused on educating and raising understanding of the issue. 

These engagements serve as a platform to understand and highlight the impact of fees on General Aviation, when airport management implements unreasonable user fees to target small users and discourage their operations.

This matter continues to evolve, and COPA remains engaged with Mirajet and other stakeholders as the situation develops.

COPA continues to commit to supporting Canadian pilots and defending access to affordable, sustainable aviation infrastructure.