Airport Updates: Latest News On The Global Market (W/C May 12, 2025)

Aéroports de Montréal (ADM), which runs Montréal-Trudeau International Airport (YUL), earned net income of C$23 million ($16 million) in the first quarter, down 37.2% from a C$36.7 million net profit in the 2024 first quarter. ADM generated C$219.3 million in revenue in the March quarter, up 3% year-over-year. The airport operator’s first-quarter costs rose 11.3% year-over-year to C$196.5 million. Traffic in the quarter totaled 4.9 million passengers processed, down 2% year-over-year. Even as domestic passengers handled rose 1.1% year-over-year, YUL's transborder traffic declined 6% year-over-year as political tension between Canada and the U.S. escalated. “After several years of strong growth in passenger traffic at YUL, new travel habits began to emerge in the first quarter of 2025, particularly due to the current geopolitical and economic context, although it is still too early to speak of a major trend,” ADM CEO Yves Beauchamp said.

Perth Airport (PER) will see enhanced customs and border services thanks to an investment from the Australian government, which aims to boost international travel at PER. The federal government is spending A$24.2 million ($15.5 million) to buttress Australian Border Force services at airports, which will provide “a major boost to Perth Airport,” according to a government statement. Qantas said the investment in PER border services enables the carrier to restart flights from the airport to Johannesburg and Auckland from Dec. 7 and 8, respectively. Both routes will be flown 3X-weekly with Airbus A330 aircraft. “These flights have been made possible by funding allocated from the federal government to … enable Perth Airport to invest in additional staffing, equipment and facilities that increase border and biosecurity capacity and in turn allow the airport to host more international flights,” Qantas said. Australia's Home Affairs and Immigration Minister Tony Burke added, “This funding allows the capabilities of the Australian Border Force to grow in line with the sustained growth in passenger numbers at Perth Airport.”

Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE) said its signatory airlines have approved $301 million in funding for new automobile public parking facilities needed to enable the eventual building of a new passenger terminal targeted for a 2032 completion. The new round of funding follows on $175 million approved by CLE’s signatory airlines in 2024 to begin implementation of landside projects. “Early work has already occurred, such as the demolition of the former Sheraton Hotel,” CLE said. A $22.5 million “Gold Lot,” part of the first swath of funding approved, will be completed in 2026 and add 1,600 car parking spaces at the airport. The $301 million cleared by the signatory airlines will enable the building of a larger parking garage that will have 6,000 spaces and also include a new ground transportation center and regional rail station. Once the new parking facilities are completed, CLE’s current parking garage will be demolished, clearing space for the construction of a planned $1.1 billion passenger terminal. Funding for the terminal project must still be approved. 

Belfast International Airport (BFS) opened a £25 million ($28.1 million) extension of its passenger terminal, featuring a new security area and duty free shopping space. “The new security hall has been purpose-built for growth to ensure the area can adapt with passenger demand and features … next-generation security equipment, meaning passengers no longer have to move liquids or electronics from hand luggage, making for a more seamless transition through the security process,” said Vinci Airports, which manages BFS. The airport’s new duty free space spans 1,600 m2. Vinci said it has committed another £75 million toward BFS enhancements over the next three years.

Spokane International Airport in Washington will receive $6.5 million from the FAA to fund the building of three aircraft gates in its passenger terminal, plus a loading dock access road and fencing, according to Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.). The money comes from the infrastructure bill passed by the U.S. Congress in 2021. 

Grupo Aeroportuario del Centro Norte (OMA), which operates airports serving Acapulco, Mazatlán, Monterrey and Zihuatanejo—as well as nine more regional airports in central and northern Mexico—reported first-quarter revenue of MXN3.57 billion ($184 million), down 5% year-over-year. OMA’s March-quarter aeronautical revenue rose 13.8% year-over-year to MXN2.34 billion. First-quarter operating income increased 17.7% year-over-year to MXN2.11 billion. OMA’s collective first-quarter traffic rose 9.1% year-over-year to 6.4 million passengers handled. The number of seats offered by airlines at OMA’s airports rose 13.4% versus the 2024 first quarter. During the quarter, airlines opened 16 new routes—11 domestic routes and five international—from OMA airports.