Ottawa / Hull (Expressair) Heliport

No official reason for the closure has been published. The most probable cause is economic. Private rooftop heliports are expensive to operate, maintain, and insure. The closure was likely due to the operating company, 'Expressair', ceasing operations, or the service no longer being financially viable. Other potential factors could include changes in building ownership, increased regulatory stringency for urban heliports, or noise complaints.

The physical location of the former heliport is the rooftop of the Place du Centre building at 200 Rue Montcalm, Gatineau, Quebec. The site is no longer an active or certified aviation facility. Satellite imagery shows a standard commercial rooftop occupied by HVAC units and other building infrastructure, with no remaining markings or equipment indicating its past use as a heliport.

The Ottawa / Hull (Expressair) Heliport was a private heliport located on the rooftop of the Place du Centre, a major office and commercial complex in Hull, Quebec (now part of Gatineau). Its location directly across the river from Ottawa's government precinct suggests its primary purpose was for corporate and executive transport. It likely facilitated rapid travel for business executives, government officials, or the express transport of sensitive documents between Hull, Ottawa, and other major centers like Montreal and Toronto. Its existence is representative of a business trend in the late 20th century for point-to-point urban air travel, bypassing ground traffic.

There are no known plans or prospects for reopening this heliport. The process of certifying a rooftop heliport in a developed urban area is extremely complex and costly, involving significant regulatory hurdles, safety assessments, and public consultations. Given the lack of any apparent demand and the significant investment required, a reopening is considered highly improbable.