Interview with Porter CEO Michael Deluce: PAX Readership Award, Air Transat JV and more
From left to right: PAX International Managing Editor Jane Hobson, Porter Airlines CEO Michael Deluce and PAX International Publisher Aijaz Khan pose for a photo with the PAX Readership Award certificate in Toronto, Canada
Porter Airlines accepted the PAX Readership Award for Most Improved Airline North America at its downtown Toronto, Canada office last week. The airline was unable to join the Awards Ceremony celebration in Hamburg, Germany at the end of May, but PAX International Publisher Aijaz Khan and Managing Editor Jane Hobson were delighted to present the award to Porter Airlines Chief Executive Officer Michael Deluce in person on Wednesday, June 19.
“It is extremely exciting to win this award because we’ve been focused on creating a differentiated elevated Economy experience. The fact that it is your extensive reader list that is making this decision really validates everything that we’re doing,” Deluce tells PAX International.
From complimentary beverages served in glassware and premium snacks, to gate-to-gate unlimited connectivity for all passengers on the E195-E2, Deluce says the Economy market was ready for disruption. When the airline was formed in 2006 , Porter made it its mission to redefine what it meant to fly economy.
“We’ve always offered a different level of service, but at the end of the day, it’s an Economy product—and one that is different from our competitors. The fact that your readers recognize it is really rewarding,” he says.
Developments underway
Deluce has a long history in aviation and is a founding member of Porter’s executive team. Prior to his current role as CEO, he served as Porter’s President and Chief Executive Officer from 2019 to 2024, and as Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer from 2006 to 2019. In January of this year, the airline introduced an updated senior leadership structure to support its ongoing growth and development.
The company separated the President and CEO roles, with Deluce continuing in the position of CEO and Kevin Jackson assuming the title of President, reporting to Deluce. Prior to this, Jackson served as Porter’s Vice President, Marketing and Communications, Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, as well as Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer.
During the interview with PAX International, Deluce explained that Jackson is now responsible for the day-to-day functions of Porter Airlines. This includes aspects such as optimizing Porter’s network and operational performance. As CEO, Deluce is focused on strategy, profitability, capital structures and stakeholder relations, as well as investments, such as the Montréal Metropolitan Airport (MET) development.
Porter has had a very busy year with the launch of several new destinations and aircraft deliveries, including its 35th Embraer E195-E2 which arrived at Ottawa International Airport earlier this week. New destinations include expanding routes to eastern and western Canada: Ottawa and St. John’s; Halifax and Deer Lake; Newfoundland; Saskatoon; Winnipeg; as well as service between Montreal (YUL) and Calgary; Montreal and Edmonton; Montreal and Vancouver; and between two major metropolitan Canadian cities, Toronto (YYZ) and Quebec City (YQB).
Development of the MET is underway and going well, he reports. The airport will become a hub for Porter and host other airlines as well, serving as a conveniently located city airport for Greater Montreal, similar to that of Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (YTZ). Built in collaboration with Porter Airlines and 50 percent partner Macquarie Asset Management, Deluce says the MET is expected to welcome passengers in the second half of 2025. It features 226,000 square feet of surface area with nine gates and maximum capacity for four million travellers annually.
“We will announce what the interiors will look like once we get closer, but it will be a game changer for the Montreal marketplace. We’re going to create a Billy Bishop-like environment with comfortable lounge seating, easy to access to save time on the ground and conveniently located to downtown Montreal,” Deluce explains.
Porter Airlines CEO Michael Deluce receives the PAX Readership Award from Publisher Aijaz Khan
Busy summer schedule
Porter Airlines will also operate its largest-ever summer schedule out of Toronto this year, with up to 176 daily flights to 27 destinations across North America from both YYZ and YTZ. By August, Deluce explains, Porter will be the third-largest carrier flying out of YYZ with up to 74 daily flights to 16 destinations across Canada and the United States. Every flight from YYZ is now flown on the 132-seat Embraer E195-E2, which offers free, fast Wi-Fi to all passengers.
YTZ will see 102 daily flights from Porter to 15 destinations, operated by the 78-seat De Havilland Dash 8-400 aircraft.
“It was only last February that Porter started flying out of Toronto Pearson, so to have grown to become the third-largest carrier this summer reinforces the fact that once passengers try our style of Economy travel, we are seeing them choose to fly us again and to more destinations. We will continue to expand the number of destinations served as we take delivery of more of our Embraer E195 aircraft,” said Jackson in the May 9 press release announcing the summer schedule.
Air Transat partnership
Earlier this month, Air Transat and Porter Airlines announced an expansion in their commercial collaboration, the first phase of their transformative joint venture (JV).
“As far as partnerships go, it is sort of a match made in heaven because you have Air Transat that serves Europe and sun destinations extensively, then you have Porter which is building out a very robust North America operation. When you combine those two networks, it elevates the competition in the marketplace and provides consumers with more choice,” Deluce explains.
With the JV, travellers can now use both Porter's or Air Transat’s distribution channels to book direct and connecting flights with either airline, significantly increasing access to a wide and expanding range of destinations around the world.
In practical terms, this means that Air Transat now offers an extensive range of destinations operated by Porter across Canada—and select U.S. cities through airtransat.com. Porter now provides non-stop flights operated by Air Transat to Europe from YYZ, YUL and YQB, as well as connecting flights to Europe from anywhere in Canada on flyporter.com.
With both airlines widely recognized for their commitment to exceptional customer service, travellers can expect a reliable, enjoyable and passengers-focused journey—from booking to landing.
More announcements to come
Deluce tells PAX International that the airline is preparing announcements on its updated winter schedules, which will be shared soon.
“You’re going to see a significant strengthening of our U.S. presence during the winter season,” he says.
