Airport’s History

Two years after Charles Lindbergh’s historic flight in 1927, Québec City’s first airport hangars were built in Sainte-Foy, where the Centre hospitalier de l’Université Laval (CHUL) is now located. Québec City’s airport adventure had begun, with an airfield used for mail service during winter.

World War II broke out in 1939, prompting the hasty establishment of an airfield in l’Ancienne-Lorette, where the first hangars were built for the Royal Canadian Air Force and the 8th Observer School. The first military flight took place on this site on September 11, 1941.

From 1943, Québec City’s terminal developed as fast as the fascinating world of aviation. Facilities were enhanced (runway lights, taxiways and approaches, etc.) and Candian Pacific Airlines was the first airline to offer flights between Montreal, Québec City, Mont-Joli, and Sept-Îles.

In the mid-1950s, Trans-Canada Air Lines and Quebecair began service and on December 17, 1954, the first terminal became operational. The construction of ramps and loading areas followed.

1964 was a turning point in the history of commercial aviation with the introduction of jet service. In 1973, a new terminal was built in Québec City, followed in 1981 by new access roads and upgraded aprons.

Between 1982 and 1984, the terminal, car parking lot and apron were expanded. In 1993, Aéroport de Québec became Jean Lesage International Airport.

A new international zone was opened three years later, in 1996. The fallowing year, a new control tower and the NAV CANADA Aviation Complex were unveiled.

In 2000, Transport Canada transferred the airport’s management, operations, and development to Aéroport de Québec inc. Over the next years, new management set the goal of providing Québec City and the eastern part of the province with an infrastructure that would meet the expectations and needs of the region’s various socioeconomic and political players.

This unifying project got under way in 2006 with the beginning of major a modernization project.

June 2008 marks the beginning of new era for Québec City Jean Lesage International Airport.
The following chart lists the highlights of Québec City Jean Lesage International Airport’s history until today.

YearEvent
1929-38Beginning of activities. The aerodrome is used for courier service in winter.
1939The war breaks out and precipitates the development of an airfield in L’Ancienne-Lorette.
1941Construction of the first hangars for the Royal Canadian Aviation Corps and the 8th Observer School.
1943Upgrading of airport installations (runway lights, taxiways, approach, etc.) and introduction of flights between Montreal, Quebec City, Mont-Joli and Sept-Îles by Canadian Pacific Airlines.
1945The Ministry of Transportation takes over from National Defence.
1955-57Beginning of Trans Canada Airlines and Québécair activities; ramps, loading areas and the first terminal are built. Operations begin on December 17, 1957.
1959Installation of an instrument landing system, high intensity approach lightning, airport radar and airway surveillance system for air traffic control.
1964Introduction of jet service.
1973Construction of a new terminal.
1974Extension of runway 06-24 to 7,500 ft.
1979Extension of runway 06-24 to 9,000 ft.
1981Construction of a new access road (main access road) and runway reinforcement.
1982-84Expansion of terminal, vehicle parking lots and hardstands.
1988Hardstands are upgraded.
1992Runway 06-24 is completely rebuilt.
1993Aéroport de Québec becomes Jean Lesage International Airport.
1994Beginning of Jean Lesage International Airport redevelopment project.
1995Extension of the INDIA taxiway into the general aviation zone.
1996Inauguration of the terminal’s new international zone.
1997Inauguration of the new air control tower and NAV Canada Aviation Complex.
2000Rebuilding of the main access road and runway 12-30.
2000Transfer of airport management responsibilities to Aéroport de Québec inc.
2006The beginning of terminal’s major modernization project.
2008Inauguration of Québec Jean Lesage International Airport.