TORONTO — Porter Airlines has turned 15, a significant milestone considering the challenges of the past year.

After celebrating 15 years since its official launch on Oct. 23, president and CEO Michael DeLuce said the pandemic has reminded the team of its entrepreneurial beginnings and the challenges associated with building a brand from scratch.

“The difference today is that we have a loyal customer base and an experienced team,” said DeLuce. “It will take time to get back to where we were two years ago but we’re ready to do this work. I want to recognize our entire team for persevering through the most difficult of circumstances while contributing to a culture that values respect, passion and innovation. This is the strong foundation we will build on as Porter comes back better than ever.”

In 2020, Porter temporarily suspended operations due to COVID-19 and resumed flights on Sept. 8, 2021. Now flying to all of its year-round destinations, the airline has recalled approximately 88% of its team members.

In July, Porter announced that it is extending service to destinations throughout North America with the introduction of up to 80 state-of-the-art, fuel-efficient Embraer E195-E2 aircraft into its fleet. Featuring a transcontinental range, the planes will enter into service starting in the second half of 2022, focusing on routes from Ottawa, Montreal, Halifax and Toronto Pearson.

Porter will also continue serving a network of regional markets from its existing hub at Billy Bishop Airport.

For more information on Porter’s growth plan go to www.flyporter.com.