| Porter Airlines | ||
|---|---|---|
 |
||
| IATA PD |
ICAO POE |
Callsign PORTER AIR |
| Founded | 2006 | |
| Hubs | Toronto City Centre Airport | |
| Member lounge | Porter Airlines Lounge | |
| Alliance | None | |
| Fleet size | 4 | |
| Destinations | 4 | |
| Parent company | Porter Aviation Holdings Inc | |
| Headquarters | Toronto, Ontario | |
| Key people | President and CEO Robert Deluce, Chair Donald J. Carty | |
| Website: http://www.flyporter.com | ||
Porter Airlines is a regional airline based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It operates high-frequency services from Toronto to destinations in Canada, with plans to add several more destinations in the USA. Services are aimed at the business market, offering a single class service based on the Bombardier Q400 aircraft. Its main base is Toronto City Centre Airport.[1]
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History
Porter Airlines President and CEO Robert Deluce announced on February 2, 2006 that a short-haul airline operating out of a newly revitalized Toronto City Centre Airport would begin service in 2006. Passengers would use a ferry to get to the island airport instead of a proposed bridge. On July 31, 2006, the airline announced that the airline's mascot would be a stylized raccoon named "Mr. Porter".[2] The airline's maiden flight took place on October 23, 2006.[3] The airline is run by Deluce (President and CEO) and former American Airlines chief executive, Canadian-born Donald J. Carty (Chairman). On February 6, 2006, he was also named the chairman of the new Richard Branson start-up airline, Virgin America. Porter is a subsidiary of privately held Regco Holdings Inc. Its investors include EdgeStone Capital Partners, Borealis Infrastructure and REGCO Capital Corp.[4]
Controversy
Due to the controversy that has surrounded the Toronto Island Airport in recent years, Porter Airlines' launch has not been without criticism. Opponents of the airport itself, including Toronto Mayor David Miller, local Members of Parliament Olivia Chow and Jack Layton, local community group Community Air, and Globe and Mail columnist John Barber, have expressed concern that the operation of a major airline from the island will cause increased noise and air pollution in the downtown core.[5] These claims are disputed by both Porter Airlines and the Toronto Port Authority, which owns and operates the island airport. The Airline has also won support from the business interests and Canadian Auto Workers leader Buzz Hargrove, who has said it will create new employment opportunities in the region.[6]
Destinations
- Further information: Porter Airlines destinations
On June 27, 2006, Porter announced its first scheduled flights would be from Toronto City Centre Airport to Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport with 10 weekday round-trip flights from Toronto to Ottawa. Commercial flights started on October 23, 2006. Weekday one-way base fares are comparable to the fares of major competitors for flights from Toronto Pearson International Airport to Ottawa. Service to Montreal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport commenced on December 11, 2006 and was increased to nine round-trip flights per day on January 8, 2007. On June 29, 2007 Porter launched seasonal service to Halifax via Montreal or Ottawa 4 times daily, running the length of the summer travel season. This allowed the airline to focus on adding leisure travelers to its flights, during the traditionally slow summer business travel season. In mid-June 2007, the airline announced a new destination, Newark Liberty International Airport in Newark, New Jersey to begin service by early 2008. [7][8][9] Service will also be introduced to Mont Tremblant (YTM) for both the Christmas and spring break holiday seasons. Service will be direct from Toronto or through Montreal. By 2010, Porter Airlines hopes to continue its expansion into the United States with service to Chicago, Boston, and Philadelphia. Porter may also expand their Canadian destinations. Service could be provided to Winnipeg, Thunder Bay, Windsor, or Québec City after receiving additional aircraft. [10]
Services
Porter Airlines brands itself as "Flying Refined". Passenger amenities include access to the Porter Airlines lounge, complimentary beverages and snacks, as well as free wireless internet access, and a business centre.
Fleet
The Porter Airlines fleet includes the following aircraft (at March 2007)[1]:
Porter Airlines has orders for 6 70-seat Bombardier Q400 turboprops, with options to purchase an additional 10. Standard leather-upholstered seats are arranged in a 2-2 configuration, some seats have slightly more leg-room than standard.
References
- ^ a b "Directory: World Airlines", Flight International, 2007-04-10, p. 65.
- ^ Porter Airlines Press release
- ^ Toronto TV
- ^ Porter to take flight in 2006. CNW Group. February 2, 2006. [1]
- ^ Porter Airlines expanding service to Montreal. CTV.ca. October 30, 2006. [2]
- ^ New airline renews T.O. Island airport dispute. CTV.ca. February 2, 2006. [3]
- ^ Porter Airlines FAQ
- ^ Toronto Sun
- ^ Weekly
- ^ [4]
External links
- Porter Airlines corporate web site
- vPorter Airlines web site
- Official News Release
- Ottawa Business Journal
- Porter Airlines takes off despite protest
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