Porter To Launch Three Embraer E195-E2 Transcontinental Routes From Montréal

porter e195-e2 with people on tarmac
Credit: Zuma Press Inc/Alamy Stock Photo

Days after growing its Embraer E195-E2 order book, Canada’s Porter Airlines has unveiled three new transcontinental routes to be flown with the 132-seat aircraft.

The airline continues to ramp up its growing E195-E2 network, with new routes to western Canada from Montréal being the latest additions.

From April 11, 2024, the Toronto-based carrier will launch daily service between Montréal-Trudeau International Airport (YUL) and Vancouver International Airport (YVR). From May 1, 2024, Porter will open daily flights between YUL and Edmonton International Airport (YEG). From May 28, 2024, the airline will start daily service between YUL and Calgary International Airport (YYC).

Porter will go head-to-head with Air Canada on both the YVR and YEG routes. It will compete against both Air Canada and WestJet on the YYC route.

Porter, which is based at Toronto Billy Bishop Airport, began taking delivery of E195-E2s in December 2022. The formerly all-De Havilland Dash 8-400 operator started building a domestic network with the Embraer aircraft, including transcontinental routes from Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ).
 
This month, the carrier is also starting to operate E195-E2 U.S. transborder routes with service from YYZ and Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport to a number of Florida destinations. In January, it will commence flights from YYZ to Los Angeles International Airport and San Francisco International Airport.

Porter last week exercised half of its remaining options for E195-E2s, increasing its firm orders for the aircraft from 50 to 75. It has already taken delivery of 24 of the type and has 25 purchase rights remaining.

“Montréal has been an important part of Porter’s network since 2006, and our presence continues to grow,” Porter CCO Kevin Jackson says regarding the new YUL routes.

Stéphane Lapierre, vice president for airport operations and air services development for Aéroports de Montréal, which manages YUL, adds: “These new direct routes enhance the offer from Montréal and represent a great opportunity to develop YUL’s domestic air service.”

Aaron Karp

Aaron Karp is a Contributing Editor to the Aviation Week Network.