Canada-based Porter Airlines is officially returning to the skies with first flights scheduled on 8th September 2021, after nearly 18 months after suspending flights due to COVID-19 public health and travel restrictions.
Finally resuming
Porter Airlines is finally resuming flights. The flight schedule will return in phases, with the initial group of Canadian destinations being Halifax, Moncton, Montreal, Ottawa, Quebec City, St. John’s, NL, Thunder Bay and Toronto. The airlines’ destinations in the United States – Boston, Chicago, New York and Washington – will resume on 17th September 2021.
Michael Deluce, President and CEO, Porter Airlines, said:
This is the moment our team members, passengers and the communities we serve have been waiting for. The pandemic has progressed to the point that we can now begin restoring service across our network, focused around our main base at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport. Being grounded for more than a year has been incredibly difficult for everyone involved. In true Porter fashion, our team members have displayed remarkable levels of commitment, engagement and optimism over this uncertain period of time, despite the vast majority being unable to work. While deciding to suspend our service was the most difficult business decision we’ve made, announcing a restart of flights is the first step in a recovery process that includes recalling hundreds of team members and welcoming back passengers. We are looking forward to once again delivering Porter’s unique style of service.
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The Toronto-based airline is resuming flights between the following Canadian cities (along with start date and peak daily roundtrips):
- Ottawa and Toronto – starting 8th September – up to 6 daily round trips
- Montréal and Toronto – starting 8th September – up to 6 daily round trips
- Thunder Bay and Toronto – starting 8th September – up to 3 daily round trips
- Ottawa and Halifax – starting 13th September – up to 2 daily round trips
- Montréal sand Halifax – starting 13th September – daily flight
- Québec City and Toronto – starting 13th September – daily flight
- Halifax and St. John’s – starting 17th September – daily flight
- Moncton and Ottawa – starting 17th September – daily flight
- Sault Ste. Marie and Toronto – starting 6th October – up to 2 daily round trips
- Sudbury and Toronto – starting 6th October – up to 2 daily round trips
- Windsor and Toronto – starting 6th October – up to 2 daily round trips
- Toronto and Timmins – starting 6th October – daily flight
- Fredericton and Ottawa – starting 6th October – daily flight
- Saint John NB and Ottawa – starting 6th October – daily flight
Note that Porter Airlines operates at Toronto’s Billy Bishop City Airport.
Additionally, the Canadian regional airline will resume flights to four destinations in the United States from 17th September 2021. The airline will resume flights between (along with start date and peak daily roundtrips):
- Newark and Toronto – starting 17th September – up to 6 daily round trips
- Boston and Toronto – starting 17th September – up to 3 daily round trips
- Chicago (Midway) and Toronto – starting 17th September – up to 2 daily round trips
- Washington Dulles and Toronto – starting 17th September – daily flight
The carrier states that it will recall approximately 500 team members to active status as the first phase of flights are introduced. More staff will be added in subsequent months as flights and destinations return to the schedule. The airline adds that the service is returning based on anticipated passenger demand, with frequency and markets increasing over time.
To provide flexibility and give passengers peace of mind when purchasing for future travel, Porter is making all fares purchased by July 20, for travel through December 15, 2021, fully refundable, with no fees. This also applies to Porter Escapes vacation packages.
Furthermore, in preparation for its resumption of service, Porter is introducing a comprehensive program to protect the health of its passengers and team members, ‘Healthy Flights’.
Deluce said:
Our safety team developed Healthy Flights as more than a checklist of rules and procedures. They carefully considered how to provide a safe experience for our passengers and team members, while being true to our distinct brand and approach to service.
Meanwhile, rival carrier Air Canada recently announced that it will serve 50 Canadian airports this summer while another rival carrier WestJet recently revealed an expanded schedule of flights in Canada.
Featured image by TripSavvy
What do you think of Porter Airlines’ return to the skies? Are you excited to get back soon on an Porter aircraft? Let me know in the comments section below.
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