Porter Airlines finds US route to be huge success

Porter Airlines, the full-service regional carrier based at the Toronto City Centre Airport only started offering regular daily flights between Canada’s largest city and Newark-Liberty Airport in the United States a few months ago, but according to the most recent financial data, this route is proving to be hugely popular among travelers and the carrier is performing much better than previously anticipated. In fact, according to the airline’s own figures, Porter is doing 80 percent better than expected on its only trans-border (Canada USA) route. Don Carty, Porter’s chairperson, also pointed out that what makes this success especially impressive is that it is taking place at a time when much of the airline industry is experiencing major challenges, due to the high price of petrol and a sluggish economy. Interestingly, fully 35 percent of the passengers on the Newark to Toronto route originate in the United States. Porter officials found this to be somewhat surprising-but certainly encouraging-considering that the carrier’s marketing campaigns have thus far been heavily focused within Canada, with almost no advertising in the US.

Encouraged by the success of their first trans-border route, Porter has announced that it will be expanding its fleet to include 12 airplanes within the next few months, while the carrier’s fleet will increase to 20 aircraft by 2010. Porter also plans to add two more US destinations later this year. The airline’s Canadian destination network currently includes flights from Toronto to Ottawa, Montreal, Halifax and Quebec City. What makes Porter stand out among just about all other Canadian and American airlines is that passengers are offered free light meals and complimentary alcoholic drinks on all flights, as well as access to the carrier’s business lounge in Toronto.

www.flyporter.com