Jacques Roy publishes La saga des aéroports de Mirabel et Dorval
October 12, 2023
“Fully understand history to avoid repeating past mistakes and make better decisions.” This is the desired objective of Professor Jacques Roy (Department of Logistics and Operations Management) in his latest book, La saga des aéroports de Mirabel et Dorval – Des leçons à tirer maintenant et pour l’avenir, which was published in early Summer 2023.
This work, which is part history book, part treatise, prompts us to wade back into the thorny debate of the 1990s over the choice between Montreal's two airports. Which one should be promoted: Dorval or Mirabel? Youngsters will be introduced to the multiple twists and turns of this saga and will gain a clear understanding of the arguments and forces involved. One thing is certain, the book sheds light on the current problems and future development of Montréal-Trudeau Airport.
It offers a critical appraisal of the history of these airports by forging links with current large-scale projects such as the REM and the third Québec-Lévis. An entire chapter is devoted to rail shuttles. It also traces everything that happened up until the decision in May 2014 to permanently shut down Mirabel airport’s mission of transporting passengers and to proceed with the demolition of its terminal building.
There is much talk about the future too, as the number of passengers in Montréal continues to grow. This includes the opportunities available (or not) for expanding Montréal-Trudeau’s facilities and the financial and environmental implications of this probable development. Such reflections about the future have inspired the author to propose strategic changes to the governance of Canadian airports.
Although it is intended for a large audience, the book is a tool of choice for teaching. It contains various lessons that can be learned from managing large infrastructure projects, in addition to addressing concepts of service operations management and project planning. Incidentally, Jacques Roy uses this book in the transportation systems course he teaches at the master’s level.
About Jacques Roy
Jacques Roy holds an MBA and a PhD in Administration from HEC Montréal. A professor at the School since 2001, he founded the Supply Chain Forum and is Director of the CHAÎNE Research Group.
He headed the Department of Logistics and Operations Management from 2004 to 2007 and from 2011 to 2014, and the MBA program in 2019–2020. Since 2002, he has also served as Co-Director of development programs in supply chain management at Executive Education HEC Montréal, where he has created and led several new seminars.
Professor Roy has long been interested in the subject of air transportation. Since the early 1980s, he has devoted research projects to it. When the repatriation of flights from Mirabel to Dorval was being debated, he was one of the specialists that were consulted to propose solutions and was later an expert witness in certain legal proceedings related to this case.
Jacques Roy’s expertise broadly covers transportation management, transportation network optimization, business process improvement, and operations and supply chain management.
The School presented him with two major awards in recognition of his contribution to elevating HEC Montréal’s standing and his exceptional commitment to teaching:
- The Esdras Minville Award, in 2008; and
- The Jean Guertin Award for Teaching Excellence, in 2020.
La saga des aéroports de Mirabel et Dorval – Des leçons à tirer maintenant et pour l’avenir by Jacques Roy, JFD, 170 pages. Available in print and electronic version at Coop HEC Montreal. The English version will be available soon.