Who Owns Porter Airlines?

Porter Airlines was founded by Robert Deluce, a veteran Canadian aviation entrepreneur from the Deluce family, which has deep roots in Canadian aviation. The airline launched operations on October 23, 2006, from Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (YTZ), located on the Toronto Islands. Porter's initial service used Bombardier Q400 turboprop aircraft (later rebranded as De Havilland DHC-8-400) to connect Toronto with regional destinations in eastern Canada and the northeastern United States.

The launch was controversial. Robert Deluce proposed creating a regional airline using turboprop aircraft to service major Canadian cities within range of Toronto. A planned bridge to the island airport was cancelled in 2003, leading to lawsuits between Deluce and the City of Toronto. The airline lost the case in court but proceeded with its plans. With compensation received from the Toronto Port Authority for the lawsuit, REGCO Holdings (later renamed Porter Aviation Holdings) purchased the island airport terminal used by Air Canada Jazz and terminated Air Canada's access to the facility.

Porter opened a new, larger passenger terminal at the island airport in March 2010. A pedestrian tunnel connecting the mainland to the airport opened in 2015, replacing the ferry service and improving access for passengers. The tunnel and terminal investments established Billy Bishop as a viable urban airport for business and leisure travelers.

Through the 2010s, Porter expanded its turboprop network from Billy Bishop, adding destinations across eastern Canada, the US East Coast, and midwestern cities. The airline built a reputation for distinctive service, including complimentary beer and wine served in glassware, premium snacks, and a two-by-two seating configuration with no middle seats. This service model differentiated Porter from both low-cost carriers and full-service airlines.

In 2013, Porter proposed expanding Billy Bishop Airport's runway to accommodate jet aircraft, specifically the Bombardier CSeries (later Airbus A220). The proposal faced significant opposition from local residents, community groups, and political leaders concerned about noise and environmental impacts. The runway extension was never approved, and Porter abandoned the jet plans for Billy Bishop.

The COVID-19 pandemic forced Porter to suspend operations entirely in March 2020. The airline remained grounded for approximately 18 months, longer than most Canadian carriers. Porter used the shutdown period to restructure its operations and develop a new growth strategy. The airline was profitable and nearly debt-free before the pandemic, which provided a financial foundation for the subsequent expansion.

Porter resumed operations in September 2021 with a dramatically different strategy. The airline announced plans to acquire up to 80 Embraer E195-E2 jets, a narrowbody aircraft with transcontinental range that could not operate from Billy Bishop's short runways. This decision fundamentally changed Porter's business model, transforming it from a regional turboprop operator into a national carrier competing directly with Air Canada and WestJet.

The first E195-E2 entered service in 2022, operating from Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ), a new operating base distinct from Porter's original Billy Bishop hub. Porter also expanded significantly at Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport (YOW), establishing it as a third major hub. The E195-E2 enabled Porter to launch coast-to-coast Canadian service, reaching as far west as Victoria and as far east as St. John's.

By October 2023, when Porter celebrated its 17th anniversary, the airline had announced 26 new routes and 14 new destinations in the preceding 12 months. The fleet had grown to 51 aircraft, including 29 Dash 8 turboprops and 22 E195-E2 jets. Porter had hired more than 1,000 new team members and was serving five destinations in Florida, plus Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Las Vegas.

In 2024 and 2025, Porter continued expanding its network, adding leisure destinations in Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central America. New routes from Toronto Pearson, Ottawa, Hamilton, and other cities included service to Cancun, Puerto Vallarta, Nassau, Grand Cayman, and Liberia, Costa Rica. Porter also expanded its presence at Montreal Trudeau Airport and announced plans for a dedicated terminal at Montreal Metropolitan Airport (Saint-Hubert, Longueuil), developed through a partnership between Porter's parent company and Macquarie Asset Management.

As of mid-2025, Porter's E195-E2 fleet had grown to approximately 44 aircraft, making it the largest global operator of the E2 family. The Dash 8-400 fleet remained at approximately 29 aircraft. The total fleet of approximately 73 aircraft positioned Porter as Canada's third-largest airline by fleet size, behind Air Canada and WestJet.

In July 2026, Porter Aviation Holdings secured BNDES financing to support the acquisition of up to 19 additional E195-E2 aircraft, continuing the airline's aggressive growth trajectory. The financing reinforced the relationship between Porter and Embraer, supporting Brazilian aerospace exports while enabling Porter's North American expansion.