Headquartered at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport located on the Toronto Islands in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Porter Airlines is a regional airline operating scheduled flights between Toronto and other locations in Canada and the United States. Billy Bishop Toronto City Center Airport is connected to the mainland by ferries carrying passengers across a 400 ft gap, which is commonly referred to as the world’s shortest scheduled ferry run. Toronto Island Airport is operated by the Toronto Port Authority (TPA). Porter Airline uses a fleet of 24 Canadian-built Bombardier Dash-8 Q 400 turboprop aircraft.

Porter Airlines was established in early February, 2006. The airline\’s first flight took place on October 23, 2006 to Ottawa. There were political opponents who were concerned that the operation of a major airline from the island would increase noise and air pollution in the downtown area. There were also concerns expressed regarding safety. The airport\’s main runway is 4,000 feet long and 600 feet shorter than Bombardier\’s specifications for a fully loaded Q400. When flights first began, airline passengers were blocked by protesters at the ferry dock who advocated a boycott of the airline service.

Porter Airlines resolved some politicians concerns as well as concerns of the public by fitting the planes for 70 passengers, instead of the normal 78 available. In addition, there were a number of cautions to pilots flying into the airport, including a nearby wind turbine, boat masts, and no-fly zones. The flight path into the airport requires that the airplanes fly an approach offset from the runway centre-line to avoid the nearby hazards.

The TPA and Porter remain partners in the expansion of the airport. In January 2009, the TPA announced plans to buy a new larger passenger ferry to support Porter\’s plans to expand. In April 2009, Porter announced that it would build a new terminal at the island airport that would include restaurants, Canadian Customs, expanded lounge space, car rental kiosks, and expanded office space. The first phase of the terminal project was opened in March 2010. The second phase of project was opened in June 2011. In 2011, Air Canada obtained 30 takeoff and landing slots at the Toronto Island Airport. Porter continues to hold 156 slots. So far, there have been no deadly incidents involving Porter Airlines recorded.

Porter Airlines is Canada’s third-largest scheduled carrier. Since its launch 5 years ago, the Porter Airline staff has grown from 200 to about 1,300 employees, up from 200 when the first flights departed five years ago. With spacious interiors, passengers get to enjoy complimentary service that includes free in-flight wine and beer and premium snacks. Air Canada obtained 30 takeoff and landing slots at the Toronto Island Airport. Porter continues to hold 156 slots. Porter Airlines has operated over 136,000 flights since its launch and in late October of 2001, it carried its 5 000 000th passenger. The passenger was rewarded with five one-way flights anywhere the airline flies. Porter now serves 16 destinations in Canada and the U.S. As well, Porter Airlines plans to continue to grow with November plans to add two additional aircraft to its fleet.

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