Porter Airlines is extending its suspension of all flights until Nov. 12, five weeks after its previously announced target to resume flying. The Toronto-based airline grounded its fleet on March 21 amid the COVID-19 outbreak, with initial plans to take off again in early June.

Travel restrictions and plummeting demand have prompted the company to push back its relaunch date several times.

Porter says the quarantine period for travellers entering or returning to Canada was recently extended. This, along with the continued closure of the Canada-US border and Atlantic Canada travel bubble, are key factors in the decision to extend the restart date.

President and CEO Michael Deluce says, “Every one of our markets is affected by the Canadian government’s non-essential travel advisory and border closures.

“We understand the impact this has on our passengers and our team members, and continue to make decisions based on how the situation evolves.”

Porter is waiving change and cancellation fees on all fares booked through November 12, including Porter Escapes vacation packages.

The pandemic has devastated the airline industry, with the International Air Transport Association projecting Canadian airline revenues in 2020 will fall by $14.6 billion or 43 percent from last year.