Porter Airlines soars to historic heights with St. John's service

Inaugural flight marks 10th destination launch

TORONTO , Oct. 5 /CNW/ - Porter Airlines celebrates the launch of its tenth destination and an increasing presence in Atlantic Canada , with its inaugural service to St. John's , N.L., debuting today. As part of expanded service to the region, the airline is offering four daily non-stop roundtrip flights between St. John's and Halifax , with ongoing direct flights also connecting Ottawa and Toronto .

"Porter's arrival in St. John's is part of an ongoing commitment to serve Atlantic Canada ," said Robert Deluce, president and CEO of Porter Airlines. "We offer passengers a superior travel experience, reminding people of the days when travelling was a pleasure."

    
    Highlights of the new schedule, with up to five daily year-round flights
on each route, include:

    -   St. John's-Halifax - 4 daily roundtrip flights
    -   St. John's-Ottawa* - 4 daily roundtrip flights
    -   St. John's-Toronto(xx) - 3 daily roundtrip flights
    -   Halifax-Ottawa - 5 daily roundtrip flights
    -   Halifax-Toronto* - 4 daily roundtrip flights

    * 1 stop
    (xx) 2 stops
    

Porter's inaugural flight landed this morning in St. John's , and was met by political figures, business leaders and tourism industry representatives who cheered the launch during a celebration held at St. John's International Airport.

Porter is committed to reintroducing convenience, speed and seamless service to air travel. With its upscale amenities and refreshing approach to customer service, the airline is changing the way people fly. Passengers enjoy complimentary service, including free in-flight wine, beer and premium snacks, all served aboard comfortable, modern aircraft.

"We are excited to welcome Porter Airlines to St. John's , and are pleased to be increasing accessibility to our city," said Keith Collins , president and CEO of St. John's International Airport Authority. "Porter has gained a solid reputation in Atlantic Canada , built on strong customer service and impeccable attention to detail that will be welcomed by our passengers."

Porter operates a fleet of 70-seat Bombardier Q400 aircraft. The aircraft sets new standards for comfort and fuel efficiency, using 30 to 40 per cent less fuel than comparable regional and narrow-body jets. The Q400 features high cruising speed, revolutionary cabin noise-reduction technology and environmentally-friendly engines.

About Porter Airlines

Porter Airlines is a regional passenger carrier based at Toronto City Centre Airport. The airline currently serves Toronto , Ottawa , Montreal , Quebec City, Halifax , St. John's , Thunder Bay, New York ( Newark ), Chicago (Midway), Boston , and has seasonal flights to Mt. Tremblant, QC. Visit www.flyporter.com or call [phone] for more information.

For further information: Media contacts: Brad Cicero, Porter Airlines, [phone]; Marie Manning, St. John's International Airport Authority, [phone]