Quebec Jean Lesage International Airport

There are few public transportation options for travelers that want to reach Jean Lesage International Airport in a hurry. The public bus and train system do not run to the international airport, so tourists need to find their way using private transportation services. The taxi co-op that runs throughout Quebec City is the best approach for budget travelers that need to get back to the airport for their outgoing flight. Taxis can be hailed throughout the city, and travelers that want to head into the city can find a taxi at almost any time outside the airport's main entrance.

Travelers with a higher budget can utilize limo services like Group Limousine A-1 that specializes in bringing prominent people from the airport back to their hotel. You need to book these services before heading into Quebec City to make sure the limo is ready upon your arrival. Disabled travelers in need of special transportation can access the Le Amis du Transport Roy and Morin through their airline's ticket desk.

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The number of shops and other amenities within the Jean Lesage International Airport pales in comparison to other international airports. Canadian and international travelers can still find plenty of ways to spend their time between flights in the airport's main terminal. One of the most popular destinations in the airport is L'Envol, a restaurant and bar frequented by travelers from around the world.

Tourists and business travelers to Quebec City can shop for small gifts at the Jean Lesage gift shop, the duty free shop, and the Le Cartier convenience store located within minutes of the airline ticket desks. These shops feature a mixture of major brand names and unique souvenirs highlighting the bilingual tradition of Quebec. You should avoid purchasing excessive souvenirs in one trip to avoid storage problems once you get in your seat.

A number of business services within Jean Lesage International Airport can help you adjust to schedule changes on the fly. The teller machines sponsored by Royal Bank of Canada allow you to get cash to make last-minute purchases. You can also access the currency exchange to get Canadian dollars, if Quebec City is your final destination. While the amenities are relatively low in number at Jean Lesage International Airport, there are enough resources for the average traveler.

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The public corporation that runs Quebec International Airport has worked with the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) to develop safety measures to avoid incidents in flight. The airport utilizes Kolossal, a private security company, to provide pre-flight checks of each passenger to meet stringent travel regulations. Travelers looking to fly into and out of Jean Lesage International Airport need to know safety standards before packing to avoid problems at check-in.

International travelers should keep their driver's license, passport, and other identifying information readily available for investigation at multiple checkpoints. Kolossal and Quebec City police investigate random baggage, so it is wise to keep personal items loose or stored in transparent containers for efficient review. The extensive amount of time you may spend in line before boarding your flight makes early arrival important. Most airlines recommend arriving at Jean Lesage International Airport at least two hours prior to departure to get to your flight on time.

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Business travelers and tourists to Quebec City may need to find accommodations while waiting for a connecting flight to their final destination. There are over a dozen accommodations within five kilometers of Jean Lesage International Airport, easily accessible by taxi or rental car. You can speak with the ticketing staff of your airline and other personnel at the airport to find special travel deals on local hotels.

The two hotels that are within a minute of the airport are the Comfort Inn par Journey's End and the Château Repotel. The Comfort Inn is part of an international chain of hotels under the same name that mix standardized services like wireless Internet and business centers with localized touches like French language signage. You can opt for the Château Repotel, which offers extensive business services for travelers, as well as friendly staff members familiar with the hectic world of air travel.

There are a number of hotels just beyond the circle surrounding the Jean Lesage International Airport. The Au Pignon Vert offers French-Canadian touches that will appeal to travelers weary of chain hotels. The Times Hotel et Suites, located three kilometers from the airport's main entrance, provides modern accommodations for families and tourists in Quebec City. It is wise to book a room prior to your trip, even if you anticipate a quick turnaround on your flight, to ensure a place to stay in this hectic city.

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The terminals of Jean Lesage International Airport reflect the English and French traditions of the Quebec province. The bilingual flight schedules and information areas are utilized by passengers from around the world that use major airlines serving Quebec City's international airport. In comparison to airports in Toronto and New York City, Jean Lesage International Airport has a relatively small number of major airlines serving international travelers.

The lion's share of airlines flying through Quebec City is Canadian, consisting of charter companies and airliners. Charter companies like Aeropro from Montreal and Pascan Aviation from Ottawa fly to multiple destinations throughout the Quebec province to serve intrepid travelers. Larger airlines native to Canada including Hydro-Quebec, Air Labrador, and Air Satellite are a reliable part of daily traffic into Jean Lesage International Airport.

Several notable international carriers have desks stationed in Quebec International Airport's terminals. Delta Airlines uses one of its subsidiaries for a direct daily flight from Boston to Quebec City for business travelers. Spring breakers and other travelers looking for sun in the midst of cold Quebec winters can reach Mexico on Skyservice, AeroMexico, and CanJet. The modernization project at Jean Lesage International Airport has increased connections to the United States including direct flights to Cleveland and Newark, New Jersey through Continental Airlines.

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One of the reasons why Quebec International Airport is becoming more prominent as a transportation hub in North America is its growing capacity for charter and cargo flights. International shipping company FedEx Express utilizes Montreal shipping company Morningstar Air Express to maintain a presence in highly populated eastern Canada. This cornerstone company is vital for businesses hoping to gain a foothold in the province.

Jean Lesage International Airport is not simply a hub for major cargo companies. Ottawa-based Air Georgian offers service throughout the eastern half of Canada for businesses and individuals that need to move products in a hurry. As the airport expands in the future, Air Georgian will be joined by other Canadian and international cargo companies interested in gaining a presence in a burgeoning provincial and national economy.

Travelers and business people looking for flexible options through Jean Lesage International Airport can utilize SkyLink Aviation. This Canadian company provides services ranging from chartered airplanes for a small traveling group to an international fleet of cargo planes that can be mobilized for government operations. Your desire to find options outside the major airlines available at the Quebec City airport may lead you to the cargo and charters desks stationed in the main terminal.

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Jean Lesage International Airport has retained the classic look of an airport, while other airports in North America have undergone renovations. The airport maintains designs from the 1960's and 1970's that act as a blast to the past for travelers accustomed to high definition television screens and speedy baggage conveyors. The vast growth of traffic through the airport's terminals in recent years has required modernization to stay ahead of competing airports in the region.

The provincial government and the public corporation that runs the airport have invested nearly $70 million in a renovation project meant to bring Jean Lesage International Airport into the 21st century. A bi-level terminal and a new system of electronic baggage handlers allow for easier movement for travelers arriving and departing from Quebec. The scheduled completion of the airport terminal in 2008 will help Jean Lesage International Airport provide service comparable to airports in Toronto and New York.

The growing number of people entering Jean Lesage International Airport coincides with a relative decrease in air traffic into the Quebec. There were 672,800 passengers entering the airport on 142,600 airplanes in 2000. These figures compared to the 779,600 passengers traveling in 109,201 planes in 2006 show that Jean Lesage International Airport supports a greater number of major carriers now than it did earlier in the decade. The modernization of Quebec City's airport will help bring in a greater number of passengers on major airliners from throughout the world.

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The terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 in New York City, as well as subsequent attacks in Spain and England, have created urgency among Canadians for better airport security. The provincial government and representatives in Ottawa have combined to developed proper customs and immigration rules for Jean Lesage International Airport to prevent similar attacks in Canada. If you have concerns about immigration and customs issues, you should understand a few guidelines to make your travels into Quebec City a lot simpler.

The key to dealing with immigration issues at Jean Lesage International Airport is to be honest and carry all your identifying documents with you during your journeys. Canadian officials look unfavorably upon international travelers and Canadians alike that do not respond honestly to simple questions. It is important to understand that immigration officials randomly ask questions of travelers that have impeccable credentials to keep all travelers in check. You should present all documents, including your travel itinerary, upon request to speed up the immigration process and help maintain a safe environment in Jean Lesage International Airport.

It is also important for travelers to pack and shop with care before they enter Jean Lesage International Airport. Customs officials look through luggage to find suspicious or illegal items being brought into Quebec City. You should consider having shops ship souvenirs and other items directly to your home to keep your luggage lighter and avoid long waits at the customs counter. A good rule of thumb is that most living things like fruits, vegetables, and small animals will draw the ire of customs officials at Jean Lesage International Airport.

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If your stay in Quebec City lasts longer than a few days, you may need to acquire a rental car to get around on a daily basis. There is no public transit connection to the airport, and your trip requirements may make it necessary to leave the city at some point. There are a half dozen international rental car companies stationed in Jean Lesage International Airport for convenient travel within Quebec City. You can get an economy-size car from Avis, Enterprise, and other companies to help you navigate local streets.

Once your trip to Quebec City is complete, you can head back to the international airport and park in the main lot in front of the terminal entrance. There are multiple fee levels for travelers parking in the international airport lot including an hourly, daily, and weekly rate, depending on how long you leave your car in the secure lot. You should speak with someone at the rental car desk to determine the right place for you to park once you are ready to leave Quebec City.

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