Designated as an international airport by Transport Canada,[5] it is located eleven kilometres (six nautical miles) west-southwest of the city.

[4] More than ten airlines offer 360 weekly flights to destinations across Canada, the United States, Central America, Mexico, the Caribbean and Europe.

[6] Beginning in 2006, with a budget of $65.8 million, Québec/Jean Lesage International Airport underwent a modernization designed to increase the terminal's capacity and substantially enhance the level of passenger service.

[citation needed] Based on the passenger figures for 2009 and 2010, it became clear that the terminal building would reach its design capacity by 2012.

Partially funded through an Airport Improvement Fee, the terminal building doubled in size, at a cost of $224.8 million.

Also added as part of the most recent expansion are 10 holes in the security fence placed at positions determined jointly by the airport authority and a local plane spotting group.

In 2019, the American website Digital Photography Review called the airport "the number one spot for aviation photographers".

YQB doesn't have a Visual Docking Guidance System (VDGS) or Parallax Aircraft Parking Aid (PAPA); all stands are assisted by ground operations using marshaling wands–handheld illuminated beacons.