Building on an existing codeshare agreement, Canadian carriers Air Transat and Porter Airlines will launch a joint venture in 2024, an enhanced partnership Porter’s top executive describes as having “the potential to transform the competitive landscape in Canada.”

“There will now be a stronger third option for consumers in the Canadian market,” wrote Porter President and CEO Michael Deluce in a Nov. 28 LinkedIn post. 

For Toronto-based Porter, the alliance will help strengthen its domestic and transborder short- and medium-haul presence, as it continues taking deliveries of Embraer E195-E2s. The carrier formerly operated a single fleet type of De Havilland Canada Dash 8-400s and the longer-range E2s have enabled growth into the U.S. and western Canada. Its continental expansion “will only be amplified by this alliance,” Deluce said. “Porter will be able to develop a more robust network by increasing flight frequency on key domestic and transborder routes and entering into new markets with less point-to-point traffic.”

The carrier’s current in-service fleet of 47 aircraft includes 22 E2s, according to the Aviation Week Network Fleet Discovery database, part of a firm order for 50 E2s plus 50 options.

“As we continue receiving deliveries of up to 100 new Embraer E195-E2 aircraft, our options for deploying this fleet are even greater based on this collaboration with Air Transat,” Deluce said.

Montréal-based Air Transat will leverage the alliance for its expansion into international medium- and long-haul markets. In October, the leisure airline unveiled enhanced service for the Northern Hemisphere 2024 summer season, with plans to offer more than 180 weekly direct flights from Montreal Trudeau and Quebec City, and 110 weekly direct flights from Toronto Pearson—including to 15 destinations in Europe. It currently flies to over 60 international destinations in North, Central, and South America, Europe, North Africa, Mexico, and the Caribbean. Porter flies to over 30 destinations in Canada and the U.S.

“This historic agreement constitutes a significant step forward in executing Transat’s strategic plan and an important milestone in developing a more sustainable competitive network,” Transat President and CEO Annick Guérard said. “Through this alliance, we will accelerate the expansion of our transatlantic footprint by allowing us to leverage the domestic market served by Porter, while allowing for a more efficient use of our fleet.”

Air Transat operates a fleet of two Boeing 737-8s, eight Airbus A321s, 13 A321neos, and nine A330s, according to Fleet Discovery.

The two carriers launched a codeshare agreement in October 2022, and will gradually implement their new alliance throughout 2024.