The Globe and Mail reported today on Porter Airlines. Porter is a recent Canadian upstart run by Donald Carty, a former American Airlines CEO. He held executive positions with American and its parent AMR Corporation from 1978 through 2003, which certainly qualifies him to be chairman of an airline. He is also the chairman of Richard Branson’s planned Virgin America.
Porter Airlines has the goal of stealing customers away from #1 and #2 Canadian Airlines, Air Canada and Westjet. On June 27, 2006, Porter announced its first scheduled flights from Toronto City Centre Airport to Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport with ten daily weekday roundtrips. The airline plans to offer other destinations in the US and Canada within 500 miles of Toronto.
Toronto City Centre Airport, also known as the Island Airport, was opened to be Toronto’s primary airport. Ironically, a secondary airport was built for use in inclement weather, which is now the primary, Toronto’s Pearson International Airport. Like many airports, there is community opposition to increase service on the basis of environmental and noise factors.
On July 6, Air Canada Jazz announced it would resume operation of flights to Ottawa and Montreal from the airport concurrently with Porter Airlines. It was made possible by “plans for improved access to the Island Airport.” The plans in question are no doubt plans for another airline to fly.
Porter Airlines emphasizes service as a philosophy. Their management says they will take a page from the 1940s when airlines were glamorous. While certain things will not be brought back due to their lack of cost efficiency, it will distinguish itself by offering snacks on hand on flights and in its business lounge. Its lounge will be open to all passengers and will offer free wireless internet, complimentary beverages, and business workstations.
Porter will operate using the latest in prop plane technology, the 70-seater Bombardier Q400 turboprop aircraft. We have mentioned the Q400 before.
We applaud Porter for realizing that service will cause people to flock to you over your competition, as we applaud any airline for increasing their service levels.