Air Inuit increases its operational capacity on the ground

Syscomax’s third mandate for Air Inuit consists of the expansion of the airlines’ ground maintenance facilities, located at the edge of the restricted Montreal–Trudeau (YUL) airport zone. The project adds 3,785 sq. ft. of space dedicated entirely to ground service equipment (GSE) operations, integrated into the existing 153,000 sq. ft. technical centre, which was also built by Syscomax in 2010. This new space increases ground equipment maintenance capacity, quadrupling the operational area for work on ground power units (GPUs), tow tractors, baggage carts, tow bars and other equipment critical to aircraft handling and supply.

The work, carried out over a 4-month period, was completed on December 16, 2025. The expansion included the installation of a 16-foot by 12-foot garage door, as well as three 12-foot by 12-foot doors. The structure will be able to accommodate the addition of an extra floor in the future, without significantly impacting operations. Firm ZZA Architects covered all the functional needs of GSE maintenance in its design while working with the structural constraints of the existing building.

The project had to strictly adhere to protocols governing secure airport areas. The construction site required close coordination with Aéroports de Montréal (ADM) and members of its airport security team, as well as with NAV Canada, to ensure access control, procedural compliance and unhindered aviation activities. Planning took into account operational restrictions related to traffic corridors, exclusion zones and critical periods of aviation activity.

The project is part of the LEED certification process that is already underway for the building. Among the planned measures, the installation of air curtains at garage openings will help reduce heat loss, optimize energy retention and maintain indoor conditions that comply with the mandatory parameters for maintenance operations.

This expansion, carried out by Syscomax, will enable Air Inuit to increase the capacity of its GSE infrastructure considerably while ensuring operational continuity in accordance with the technical, environmental and regulatory standards that specialized airport facilities are subject to.