Media Advisory - Porter Airlines to operate Canada's first biofuel-powered revenue flights

Toronto-Ottawa route to showcase environmentally-friendly fuel

TORONTO, April 16, 2012 /CNW/ -

What:
Porter Airlines has scheduled Canada's first biofuel-powered revenue flights between Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport and Ottawa International Airport utilizing a 50/50 blend of biofuel with Jet A1 fuel. The fuel has been certified to the new American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) D7566/D1655 standard, and the biofuel portion is derived from the oilseed crop Camelina sativa*.

This is the final step of a two-year project whose other key members are Targeted Growth, Bombardier Aerospace and Pratt and Whitney Canada. The project was partially funded through the Green Aviation Research and Development Network (GARDN).

Porter is using one of its Bombardier Q400 turboprop airliners for the flights.

Who:

• Robert Deluce, President and CEO, Porter Airlines
• Hélène V. Gagnon, Vice President, Bombardier Aerospace
• Sylvain Cofsky, Executive Director, GARDN
• The Honourable Glen Murray, Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities

Where:

• Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (foot of Bathurst St., south of Queens Quay)
• Registration - Passenger terminal check-in hall
• Ottawa Internal Airport
• Level 1, Arrivals area

When:

• Tuesday, April 17, 2012
• 7:45 a.m. - Registration at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport
• 8:50 a.m. - Porter biofuel-powered Flight 249 scheduled departure to Ottawa
• 9:45 a.m. - Flight 249 scheduled arrival in Ottawa
• 10:15 a.m. - Porter biofuel-powered Flight 254 scheduled departure to Toronto
• 10:15 a.m. - Reception on level 1 at Ottawa International Airport

About Porter Airlines
Founded in 2006, Porter Airlines has revolutionized short-haul flying with a warm and effortless approach to hospitality and restoring glamour and refinement to air travel. An Official 4 Star Airline® in the World Airline Star Rating® by Skytrax, and rated second in the world in Condé Nast Traveler's Readers Choice Awards Top Small Airlines category, Porter is committed to providing a premium travel experience. Complimentary amenities include luxurious airport lounges, Starbucks coffee, premium snacks, and wine or beer onboard.

The airline currently offers flights to Toronto, Ottawa, Montréal, Québec City, Moncton, Halifax, St. John's, Thunder Bay, Sault Ste. Marie, Sudbury, Timmins, Windsor, New York (Newark), Chicago (Midway), Boston (Logan), Washington, D.C., and has seasonal flights to Mt. Tremblant, Que., Myrtle Beach, S.C., and Burlington, Vt. Visit www.flyporter.com or call [phone] for more information.

Notes to media:

Accredited media may register to travel on a biofuel flight. Space is limited.

The Ottawa Airport Authority invites the media to park in the Parkade. Parking vouchers will be given to the media during the reception.

*Camelina sativa is a member of the family of flowering plants known as the Brassicaceae. The Brassicaceae also include well-known plants such as broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower and turnips.

Bombardier and Q400 are trademarks of Bombardier Inc. or its subsidiaries.

Brad Cicero   
Porter Airlines
[phone]

Marc Duchesne
Bombardier Commercial Aircraft
[phone]