TORONTO — Porter Airlines took home the award for North America’s Best Regional Airline in the 2014 Skytrax World Airline Awards.

Travellers from over 160 countries take part in the world’s largest airline passenger satisfaction survey to select the award winners. This is the first year for the North American Regional Airline category.

“This accolade highlights Porter on an international stage,” said Robert Deluce, president and CEO of Porter Airlines. “It demonstrates that passengers appreciate our approach to service and recognize the value of a convenient downtown airport like Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport.”

Deluce added that the airline hopes to spread its wings starting in 2016, servicing routes across North America pending official approval. “Adding destinations such as Miami, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Vancouver, will allow us to offer the Porter experience to even more passengers.”

In 2013, Porter received Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Award for Top Small Airline in the world. The airline is also one of four in North America to qualify for Skytrax’s 4-Star Rating, which recognizes airlines that deliver overall quality performance.