Category Archives: Porter Airlines

Porter Airlines touches down in Muskoka with inaugural summer service

Porter Airlines celebrated its first flight to Ontario’s ‘cottage country’ on June 27 with its inaugural flight to Muskoka, one of the world’s iconic summer retreats. Passengers enjoyed nonstop service from Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport to Muskoka Airport, and were met by local officials and residents on arrival.

With the introduction of Porter’s seasonal Muskoka flights, people looking to relax in a tranquil wilderness setting, can do so with a flight time of approximately 20 minutes. Operating twice weekly on Thursdays and Mondays, service continues until September 3.

Situated among pristine waters, and surrounded by scenic shorelines and vast forests, Muskoka is one of Ontario’s most sought-after vacation spots. In addition to stunning vistas, visitors can enjoy the region’s heritage communities and vibrant towns, offering excellent shopping, one-of-a-kind entertainment, events and an abundance of recreational activities. Muskoka’s charm and beauty offers a unique experience for families, groups, and couples looking to create long-lasting memories.

Explorers’ Edge, the regional tourism organization, also launched its seasonal shuttle bus service, providing Porter passengers transportation from Muskoka Airport to accommodations across the region. The organization is also offering a traveller incentive of $100 in spending vouchers for those booking a flight and accommodation.

All photos by the airline.

Porter Airlines to add new service to Ontario’s Muskoka region

Porter Airlines made this announcement:

Porter Airlines will be flying to Muskoka Airport with the introduction of 2019 summer service. Popular with outdoor enthusiasts, Muskoka (below) has established itself among the world’s iconic summer retreats.

Flights will have an air time of approximately 20 minutes, operating twice weekly on Thursdays and Mondays between Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport and Muskoka Airport, from June 27 to September 3. Connecting flights are available via Toronto for numerous Porter destinations in the U.S. and Canada.

Schedule details are as follows:

Day of week	Toronto departure time	Muskoka departure time
Thursday	1:10 p.m.	2:20 p.m.
Monday*	9:20 a.m.	10:30 a.m.

*Tuesday departure during long weekends.

Top Copyright Photo: Porter Airlines Bombardier DHC-8-402 (Q400) C-GKQF (msn 4391) (Pan American Games – Toronto 2015) YUL (Gilbert Hechema). Image: 926534.

Porter Airlines aircraft slide show:

Porter Airlines to open a new maintenance base at Thunder Bay in February

Porter Airlines is opening an aircraft maintenance base at Thunder Bay International Airport, as of February 2019. This development contributes to Porter servicing its fleet of 29 Bombardier Q400 aircraft and will create 18 jobs in the city.

“Thunder Bay is an important location in Porter’s network,” said Robert Deluce, president and CEO of Porter Airlines. “This latest investment in a maintenance base demonstrates our ongoing commitment to the community.”

Porter has recently made significant investments in Northern Ontario, including opening a base for pilots and flight attendants in Thunder Bay one year ago.

The maintenance base will be located in an existing hangar at the airport. Porter engineers will perform daily overnight maintenance on two aircraft that will return to service the following day.

Porter currently operates up to seven daily roundtrip flights between the city and Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport.

Photo: Porter Airlines.

Porter flights to arrive in Mont Tremblant again for the winter ski season

Porter Airlines is reintroducing its annual winter service between Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport and Mont Tremblant, Quebec. Flights operate from December 7, 2018, to April 1, 2019.

The early December start date allows visitors to attend the popular 24 Hours of Tremblant season kickoff charitable event and enjoy pre-Christmas time in the village.

The standard schedule includes four weekly flights throughout the season, with adjustments for increased frequencies during peak periods, such as Christmas, Family Day and March Break.

Mont Tremblant is a premiere winter locale that Porter has served for more than a decade. Its charm and energy is found on and off the slopes, making for a diverse destination that suits adventure seekers, romantics and foodies.

Nonstop flights from Billy Bishop Airport take approximately 70 minutes. Connecting flights are available from numerous Porter locations in Canada and the U.S.

Photo: Porter Airlines.

Porter Airlines and Aeroplan announce a new comprehensive partnership

Porter Airlines and Aimia Inc. are announcing a comprehensive partnership designating Porter as a preferred Canadian airline to issue Aeroplan Miles on Porter routes effective July 2020.

Porter will also become a redemption partner, as of the effective time of the agreement, offering up to 60% of seat inventory for the purchase of flights with Aeroplan Miles at fixed-rate prices. The arrangement includes an extensive cooperative marketing program targeting existing Aeroplan members, with an emphasis on members who travel on Porter routes.

Points from Porter’s existing VIPorter loyalty program will be converted into Aeroplan Miles when the agreement becomes effective in 2020. Porter passengers will then be able to earn and redeem Aeroplan Miles on all Porter flights, plus across the growing Aeroplan collection of more than 75 travel and retail partners. This includes international airlines covering much of the globe.

The VIPorter loyalty status program will be maintained beyond June 2020 to deliver benefits for frequent flyers, such as priority boarding, complimentary seat selection and checked baggage allowances. Other details will be communicated to members before that time.

Top Copyright Photo (all others by Porter): Porter Airlines Bombardier DHC-8-402 (Q400) C-GLQB (msn 4130) (Ottawa 2017) IAD (Brian McDonough). Image: 938919.

Porter aircraft slide show:

Porter Airlines to resume seasonal service to Mont Tremblant, new maintenance base at Sudbury

Porter Airlines flights to Mont Tremblant, Quebec, are back in time to enjoy summer in the Laurentians region (below). Seasonal service begins on June 22, and runs until September 23, 2018.

Flights operate up to four times weekly starting July 26 through Labour Day, and two times weekly for the remainder of the season.

Passengers fly nonstop from Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport to Mont Tremblant International Airport in just 70 minutes.

Additionally the carrier also started seasonal service to Stephenville with 11 round-trip flights on Saturdays through June 23, increasing to twice weekly from June 27 to September 1, 2018. Flights will continue into the fall and winter to the west coast on the island of Newfoundland (below).

In other news, Porter Airlines has announced it will establish a new maintenance base at Greater Sudbury Airport for its 29 Bombardier Q400 aircraft.

Photo Above: Porter Airlines. The Hon. Glenn Thibeault, Mayor Mayor Brian Bigger, Sudbury AirportCEO, Todd Tripp, and Porter COO, Paul Moreira announcing Porter’s investment in a Sudbury aircraft maintenance base with the support of The Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation. This investment demonstrates how the private sector can work with government to benefit local economies, ensuring our eight local maintenance team members have an excellent, new hangar facility at Sudbury Airport.

Top Copyright Photo (all others by Porter): Porter Airlines Bombardier DHC-8-402 (Q400) C-GLQQ (msn 4272) MYR (Jan Petzold). Image: 941689.

Porter Airlines aircraft slide show:

Route Map:

Porter Airlines adds 7th daily Thunder Bay flight, officially opens local crew base

Porter Airlines is significantly investing in Thunder Bay, Ontario, by adding flights and officially opening its new crew base for pilots and flight attendants.

The base grand opening received an added dose of excitement when the airline announced that it is increasing its schedule, with up to seven daily roundtrip flights to Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport. There will be as many as 45 weekly flights, beginning April 12.

Twenty crew members are already established at the base and will begin operating flights this week. They represent a variety of backgrounds, including: Porter team members transferring from other bases; crew with previous aviation experience already living in the city; and those moving from other locations in Canada. A total of 40 crew members will eventually be located in Thunder Bay as hiring and training progresses during the year. This is the first crew base in Northern Ontario for any large commercially-scheduled airline.

Porter began operating in Thunder Bay in 2008. In its tenth year, Porter has more flight options to Toronto than any other airline with up to seven daily flights. Each flight also has continuing service to and from Montreal or Ottawa, meaning passengers can stay on the aircraft during the brief stopover in Toronto.

Porter flies a 29-aircraft fleet of Bombardier Q400 aircraft configured with 74 seats. Each flight operates with two pilots and two flight attendants.

Top Copyright Photo (all others by Porter): Porter Airlines Bombardier DHC-8-402 (Q400) C-GLQP (msn 4271) YYZ (TMK Photography). Image: 907212.

Porter Airlines aircraft slide show:

Porter Airlines’ “Ottawa 2017” promotional livery for Canada’s 150th birthday

The Ottawa 2017 Bureau and Mayor Jim Watson, in collaboration with lead partner CIBC, are thrilled to welcome Porter Airlines as the Official Canadian Airline for Canada’s 150th birthday celebrations in the nation’s capital.

“As the nation’s capital, Ottawa will be at the center of celebrations for Canada’s 150th birthday,” said Robert Deluce, president and CEO of Porter Airlines. “Porter proudly embodies the modernity and founding spirit of Canada, so this partnership is a perfect fit for us.”

Porter will provide flights for artists, contests and promotions, as well as collaborate with Ottawa 2017 on pageantry items at the Ottawa International Airport and other marketing initiatives. Additionally, the airline company will add the Ottawa 2017 logo (below) to the exterior of all of its aircraft and two planes in the Porter fleet will have their tails wrapped with the colourful look of the celebration.

Canada’s 150th celebrations will offer Canadians and visitors from around the world an exceptional and memorable year of exciting experiences while bringing a record number of visitors to Ottawa in 2017 to celebrate this important milestone for our country.

Copyright Photos: Porter Airlines Bombardier DHC-8-402 (Q400) C-GLQB (msn 4130) (Ottawa 2017) IAD (Brian McDonough). Image: 935182.

Porter Airlines to arrive in Florida tomorrow

Porter Airlines (Toronto-Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport) tomorrow (December 19) will arrive in Florida. The regional carrier will launch a new route to Melbourne (near Orlando) on the East Coast.

The seasonal Porter flights depart Toronto (Billy Bishop) at 10:20 a.m. and depart from Central Florida at 3:45 p.m.

Copyright Photo: Brian McDonough/AirlinersGallery.com. Bombardier DHC-8-402 (Q400) C-GLQN (msn 4254) exits the runway at Washington’s Dulles International Airport (IAD).

Porter Airlines aircraft slide show:

Route Map:

Porter 12.2015 Route Map

Porter Airlines to fly seasonally to Melbourne, Florida

Porter Airlines (Toronto-Billy Bishop Airport) has announced it has selected Melbourne International Airport (MLB) as its first entry into the Florida market.

The weekly seasonal flights will commence December 19 from Toronto’s Billy Bishop Airport (YTZ), located on an island in the heart of Toronto.

Copyright Photo: Brian McDonough/AirlinersGallery.com. Bombardier DHC-8-402 (marketed as the Q400) C-GLQP (msn 4271) arrives at Washington’s Dulles International Airport (IAD).

Porter Airlines aircraft slide show: