Porter Airlines Expands with Three New E195-E2 Crew Bases Across Canada

Porter Airlines is set to broaden its operational footprint in Canada by establishing three new crew bases for its E195-E2 aircraft in Ottawa International, Montréal Trudeau, and Vancouver International airports. This expansion aims to enhance the airline’s service offerings and operational efficiency across its growing North American network.

The Ottawa crew base is scheduled to open in June 2024, housing approximately 150 crew members in the nation’s capital. Following Ottawa, Montréal’s crew base will commence operations in July with 100 crew, while the Vancouver base is expected to launch in October with another 100 staff members.

Porter Airlines has outlined an ambitious summer schedule, planning to operate 14 nonstop routes from Ottawa, six from Montreal, and three from Vancouver, significantly increasing its connectivity and service options for passengers.

According to the ch-aviation schedules module, the airline will utilize the E195-E2 aircraft from Ottawa to various destinations, including Calgary, Edmonton International, Fort Lauderdale International, Halifax, Orlando International, Toronto Pearson, and Vancouver. Flights from Montreal will connect to Halifax and Toronto Pearson, and from Vancouver to Ottawa and Toronto Pearson, showcasing the versatility and reach of the E195-E2 within Porter’s network.

Kent Woodside, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Porter Airlines, emphasized the strategic importance of the new bases, stating, “These new bases will provide significant opportunities for crew who want to live close to where they work. Local crew can better support Porter’s commitment to operational reliability.”

Currently, Porter Airlines operates with approximately 650 pilots and 775 cabin crew members from its existing E195-E2 crew base at Toronto Pearson and DHC-8-Q400 bases at Toronto Billy Bishop City Centre, Ottawa, Halifax, and Thunder Bay. The airline anticipates expanding its crew numbers to around 2,000 by the end of 2024, reflecting its growth trajectory and commitment to enhancing its service capabilities.

The ch-aviation fleets module reveals that Porter Airlines’ fleet includes 58 aircraft, with twenty-nine DHC-8-Q400s and twenty-nine E195-E2s, the latter operated under the sister company Porter Airlines Canada. Additionally, the airline has placed orders for forty-six more E195-E2s from Embraer, signifying its long-term investment in modernizing its fleet and offering an elevated travel experience to its passengers.

This strategic expansion of crew bases and fleet enhancement marks a significant milestone for Porter Airlines as it continues to evolve and strengthen its position within the competitive North American aviation market.