Porter Airlines

Porter Airlines is a Canadian regional airline based in Toronto and based on the local suburban Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport.

History

The foundation of Porter Airlines proved to be extremely difficult and is connected to the airport's history. In 2000, the Toronto City Centre Airport, which was operated by the Toronto Port Authority, made a net loss of $ 1 million. Part of the tasks of the Port Authority was to make the airport profitable and to increase the number of passengers. The airport was used by the task of the regional airline City Express only by Air Canada Jazz for a daily flight to Ottawa.

In October 2002, the Port Authority, announced to provide $ 35 million to revitalize the airport, divided into $ 15 million to build a bridge, $ 20 million for a new terminal and an incentive for a new regional airline, which the businessman Robert Deluce from Toronto wanted to build. Since the establishment of the airport on Toronto Islands this was associated only with a passenger ferry with the city, which meant a major obstacle to expansion. The plans were approved by Toronto City Council in November 2002. In contrast, were opposed dwellers and urban associations that were formed for Community Air Special interest group in order to prevent the extension. The expansion was a central theme in the municipal elections in Toronto in 2003. While the two main candidates Barbara Hall and John Tory supported the project, David Miller stepped up to it. After David Miller and the new city council were elected, they rejected the bridge.

After the rejection of bridge Robert Deluce first sued the city of Toronto and later the Canadian federal government to $ 505 million. After an unspecified comparison with the Port Authority, his company bought the airport building in which Air Canada Jazz handling services his passengers and terminated the contract on 31 January 2006. Two days later, the Company announced that Porter Airlines as a regional airline with built exclusively from Bombardier turboprops, will resume flight operations in 2006 by Iceland Airport. In contrast, were opposed Toronto's mayor, parts of the city council, as well as local stakeholders and members of parliament. They argued that the operation of a main airline on the island increased noise and air pollution would produce. Also, safety concerns have been voiced since the start and runway was too short for the machine according to manufacturer's instructions. Deluce said that the length would be sufficient because the machines were not occupied with maximum number of passengers.

Despite the obstacles, flight operations began on 23 October 2006 with a flight to Ottawa. The air traffic has since been constantly expanding. The company is owned by Stone Edge Capital Partners, Borealis Infrastructure and the REGCO Capital Corp..

In the event that the Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport will be expanded for use by jets, Porter Airlines announced an order for twelve Bombardier CS100 for delivery from 2016.

Destinations

Porter Airlines connects Toronto in scheduled service within Canada with major cities such as Ottawa, Montreal and Quebec City and also flies regional destinations such as Moncton, Thunder Bay or St. John's to Newfoundland. Moreover, Newark, Chicago -Midway, Myrtle Beach and Washington - Dulles served in the United States.

Fleet

As of November 2013, the fleet of 26 aircraft consists of Porter Airlines:

  • 26 Bombardier Dash 8Q -400
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