Loading ...Even while most carriers are looking to downsize their fleets and are grounding planes due to the high price of oil and economic uncertainty, Canadian full-service carrier Porter Airlines is doing precisely the opposite. Based at Toronto’s City Centre Airport (TCCA), Porter has confirmed that it would add two more planes to its fleet, which consists exclusively of Bombardier manufactured Q-400 turboprop planes. Although the airline currently has a very modest fleet comprised of only six planes, this total will rise to 12 and then to 16 within less than a year. All of these aircraft are configured to comfortably fit up to 78 passengers and their most important quality in today’s challenging business environment is that they are famous for their fuel-efficiency. Porter originally placed an order for 10 turboprop planes, for a price tag of $500 million.
Formed in 2006, Porter is a very young airline, but it has developed what appears to be quite a successful brand based on convenience and a high level of service. Porter enjoys a virtual monopoly at the TCCA, since it is the only airline operating regularly scheduled flights from an airport that is a mere 10 minute ferry ride to Toronto’s city centre. Additionally, Porter is the only airline in Canada to offer complimentary light meals on all flights. The company, however, competes with Air Canada and WestJet on its short-haul regional routes.
www.flyporter.com
