By MICHAEL BAGINSKI/ Porter Airlines is launching service in London, Ont., for the first time in the airline’s history. Starting in November, London International Airport (YXU) – will see four nonstop seasonal routes to sunny southern destinations in Florida, Jamaica and Mexico.
By summer 2027, the airline is also planning to introduce an extensive year-round domestic schedule, connecting locations across Canada with Southwestern Ontario’s largest city.
City and YXU officials called the Porter partnership “transformational” and an “exciting new chapter for the city,” at a launch event at the airport on Wednesday.
“For years, our region has been underserved when it comes to air service, with residents and businesses often travelling outside the region to access the connectivity they need,” stated Scott McFadzean, president and CEO, London International Airport.
McFadzean said the airport has a catchment area of more than two million people, and he told Travel Industry Today that beyond travellers heading down the 401 for two hours to Pearson International in Toronto, the airport also suffers from 36% customer leakage to Detroit, a couple of hours the other way, particularly in the winter.
But with Canadian feelings about crossing the border heightened even further during the latest round of the U.S. trade war, he added, “I think that if people have an option to fly from right here at home at their local airport… (it) will make a lot of people happy and prevent them from crossing that border.”
And in the summer, he expects American travellers to use the airport to travel in Canada, which he says is “not always easy from U.S. airports.”
Meanwhile, flight schedules for the winter season from YXU are as follows:
- 18 – Fort Lauderdale (FLL): 4x weekly (Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Sunday)
- 19 – Orlando (MCO): 3x weekly (Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday)
- 17 – Cancun (CUN): 4x weekly (Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday)
- 18 – Montego Bay (MBJ): 2x weekly (Monday, Friday)
Beyond its initial flights, Porter Airlines CEO Michael Deluce said the company plans further “broad and significant” growth out of London, including an as-yet-to-be-announced domestic program that will begin next summer.
“We are launching with four seasonal routes, but we believe that there is a lot more potential out of London,” he stated. “That means that we are committed to expanding our service from London with year-round domestic flights next year. And while I can’t confirm specifics today – that will come in the following months – I can guarantee that we intend to make this a very substantial service across the country.”
Deluce noted that in coming to London, the city is now part of Porter’s expanding North American network and “as one of the continent’s fastest growing airlines, we are continuing to offer passengers more travel options.”
All winter routes will be operated on the new 132-seat Embraer E195-E2 aircraft, featuring no middle seats on all flights.
Porter’s signature elevated economy experience also includes complimentary beer and wine served in glassware, premium snacks for everyone, and free, fast WiFi. For passengers looking for an all-inclusive onboard experience, PorterReserve also includes fresh, healthy meals and premium cocktails on longer flights, extra legroom seats in our front-of-cabin seating, dedicated check-in and boarding, and two checked bags.
PorterClassic fares offer the same additional perks à la carte, for those wanting to customize their experience.
Flights are now available for booking.
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