Porter looks forward to full council debate on plans

Conditional approval sought to enable multiple benefits for Toronto

TORONTO, Nov. 28, 2013 /CNW/ - Porter Airlines President and CEO Robert Deluce looks forward to a full discussion of the city staff report on Porter's growth proposal at next week's meeting of the Executive Committee and at city council's meeting on Dec. 16.

"We believe that there is sufficient information available in these studies for city council to conditionally approve our proposal subject to certification of the aircraft and Transport Canada's approval of the runway extension," said Deluce. "There are natural checks and balances built into the process going forward. Should these conditions not be satisfied, then Porter cannot proceed.

"The report identified certain items to be addressed between the Toronto Port Authority and the city that we believe can be fully addressed between now and the projected delivery of our first aircraft in 2016. It will take the cooperation of all concerned, but we believe that any outstanding issues can be resolved in a timely manner. The balance of the 12 Bombardier CS100s Porter has conditionally ordered would not be fully in service until 2018.

"Porter has been gratified by the strong positive response we have received to our plans, and the report highlights many economic benefits for the city.  Public opinion is favourable and the reports reflect that approval. The addition of the proposed destinations, such as Vancouver, Calgary, California and Florida, will benefit business and tourism in Toronto, create an additional 1,000 jobs at Porter alone, and provide competitive airfares for the travelling public.  We're proud of all that we have achieved on the waterfront since 2006 and want to build on that success."

About Porter Airlines

Porter Airlines has revolutionized short-haul flying with a warm and effortless approach to hospitality, restoring glamour and refinement to air travel. Porter is an Official 4 Star Airline® in the World Airline Star Rating® by Skytrax, and rated Best Small Airline in the world by Condé Nast Traveler's Readers Choice Awards. 

The airline currently offers flights to Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, Quebec City, Moncton, Halifax, St. John's, Thunder Bay, Sault Ste. Marie, Sudbury, Timmins, Windsor, New York (Newark), Chicago (Midway), Boston, Washington (Dulles) and has seasonal flights to Mt. Tremblant, Que., Myrtle Beach, S.C., and Burlington, Vt. Vacation packages are available from Porter Escapes at www.porterescapes.com.

Visit www.flyporter.com or call [phone] for more information.

SOURCE: Porter Airlines Inc.

Media contact:

Brad Cicero
Porter Airlines
416-629-5590