Porter Airlines doubles schedule

Porter Airlines commenced scheduled service today to Montreal

By CNW, Canada News Wire

Monday, December 11, 2006

TORONTO, Dec. 11 /CNW/ - Porter Airlines commenced scheduled service today to Montreal, its second destination. Initially, Porter will offer four round-trip weekday flights, as well as weekend service, between its operating base at Toronto City Centre Airport (TCCA) and Montréal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport. The airline will more than double scheduled flights on the route to nine weekday round-trips on Jan. 8, when its fourth aircraft is put into service.

The airline launched on Oct. 23 with 10 weekday round-trips between Toronto and Ottawa. It plans to fly to as many as 17 short-haul Canadian and U.S. destinations within a 500-nm radius of the Greater Toronto Area "We're thrilled to reintroduce service between downtown Toronto and Montreal," said Robert Deluce, president and CEO of Porter Airlines. "The Montreal-Toronto route is Canada's busiest, and we know there is strong demand for service to and from the centre of Toronto. We believe that the convenience of the Island Airport will be irresistible to business travellers and tourists."

Approximately 20 full-time jobs will be created by Porter in Montreal, including staff and contract positions. The airline currently has over 200 employees.

"We are proud to welcome Porter Airlines at Montréal-Trudeau Airport. The daily flights offered by Porter Airlines will reinforce our offer to business travellers between Montréal and Toronto," said James Cherry, president and Chief Executive Officer of Aéroports de Montréal.

Reservations can be made through registered travel agents, on Porter's website www.flyporter.com and through its call centre at 1-888-619-8622 or 416-619-8622.

Customers can choose from Freedom, Flexible and Firm fare types that provide varying options including complimentary flight changes and cancellations, advance seat selection and same-day standby. Passengers can also check-in via the website.

At the heart of Porter's philosophy is a desire to reintroduce convenience, speed and seamless service to short-haul air travel. Situated minutes from downtown Toronto, City Centre Airport is one of the most convenient urban airports in the world, allowing passengers to cut as much as two hours off a round-trip flight compared to flying from Pearson International Airport.

Travellers will also benefit from Porter's customer-focused approach that includes complimentary in-flight food and beverage service, free shuttle buses to downtown Toronto, and a terminal lounge in Toronto with complimentary espresso bar, beverages, snacks and wireless Internet access with computer workstations. With a variety of fare offerings, Porter's schedule and service will appeal to both business and leisure travellers.

Porter operates 70-seat Bombardier Q400 turboprop aircraft. The aircraft are manufactured at Bombardier's Downsview plant in north Toronto. Featuring leather seating, extended legroom and a 650 km/h cruising speed, the Q400 sets new standards for comfort, fuel efficiency and low emissions.

About Porter Airlines

Porter Airlines Inc. is a regional passenger carrier based at Toronto City Centre Airport. The airline currently serves Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal, with plans to fly to as many as 17 short-haul Canadian and U.S. destinations within a 500-nm radius of the Greater Toronto Area. Visit www.flyporter.com or call (416) 619-8622 or (888) 619-8622 for more information.

About Aéroports de Montréal

ADM is the local airport authority responsible for the management, operation and development of Montréal-Trudeau and Montréal-Mirabel international airports under the terms of a lease entered into with Transport Canada in 1992. The Corporation employs a total of some 600 persons at the two airports and head office.