🔥 Trending US Customs Operations Resume at Montreal Airport

U.S. Customs Operations at Montreal-Trudeau Airport Temporarily Disrupted by Odour

On Wednesday, July 29, 2026, U.S. Customs operations at Montréal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport (YUL) were temporarily suspended due to an odour detected within the facility ¹²⁴. This disruption led to significant cancellations and delays for flights heading to the United States ¹⁷⁸.

Cause of the Disruption

The primary cause of the temporary shutdown was an odour, which airport officials later attributed to varnish from interior painting ² or construction materials ⁸. One passenger reported an "exhaust smell" ⁵. This strong smell prompted U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to halt their operations for safety reasons ⁵⁶.

Impact on Flights

The suspension of customs processing had an immediate effect on air travel:

• Flight Cancellations: Approximately 20 flights bound for the United States were cancelled ⁴⁶. Several other flights experienced significant delays ¹².
• Inbound vs. Outbound: While the initial focus was on outbound flights to the U.S., reports also indicated that as of 10 AM on July 29th, 20 inbound flights had been cancelled due to the strong odour ⁶.
• Passenger Advisory: Passengers were strongly advised to check their flight status before heading to the airport ³.

Resumption of Operations and Current Status

U.S. customs operations gradually resumed later on Wednesday, July 29, 2026 ²⁴. However, airport officials cautioned that travelers should still anticipate delays as the processing catches up ². The situation is being closely monitored, and while the immediate disruption has passed, the airport continues to manage the backlog caused by the temporary closure.