Porter Airlines takes flight from Hamilton
The ribbon cutting ceremony at John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport on June 2
Porter Airlines and John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport (YHM) unveiled the refreshed terminal yesterday as Porter prepares to take flight from YHM for the first time. The inaugural flights to Vancouver and Halifax will take off today with additional service to Edmonton and Calgary following on June 11.
In the last few years, Porter’s mission has been expansion. The airline has not only expanded its network and frequency across Canada and the United States but is now launching services from YHM.
Porter Airlines CEO Michael Deluce at YHM
Located on the western tip of Lake Ontario, about one hour from the Niagara Falls border, Porter Airlines CEO Michael Deluce says YHM is uniquely positioned as 1.5 million Ontarians live closer to Hamilton Airport than any other.
At a press conference outside the departures terminal on June 2, following a land acknowledgment, George Casey, Chair and CEO of Vantage Group, addressed City of Hamilton staff, airport executives and media, including PAX International.
“It is really hard to believe that it was only three months ago that we gathered to announce plans for these terminal upgrades and the impending arrival of Porter Airlines to Hamilton Airport. Thank you to the Vantage team and our dedicated construction partners at PCL and Stantec who have all worked very hard to deliver this transformation on time and on budget – just how we like it – for the benefit of the airport and the community,” he said.
Casey also thanked Mayor Andrea Horwath and Porter Airlines CEO Michael Deluce for the partnership between the city, Porter Airlines, Vantage and Tradeport.
“It allows for the continued investment in this airport and this community. It continues to drive the economic engine that this airport is and most importantly, it provides Hamiltonians with the air service they want and deserve. It is what sets this airport on the course for its very positive future.”
Casey then introduced the recently appointed CEO of Tradeport, a Vantage Group operating subsidiary, Peter Tong. Tong highlighted the YHM lettering on the exterior of the departures terminal behind him and shared what visitors can expect of the newly renovated interior.
Updated check-in counters at YHM
“We have expanded the canopies and added new canopies to ease with curb operations and make it easier for passengers as they arrive and depart. Once inside the terminal, what you are going to see is significantly elevated light area ambiance,” said Tong, “From the check-in hall through to the seamless security and as you go into the departure area, we have made enhancements significantly from the floor all the way to the ceiling. We have also made improvements to the signage, lighting and have been very thoughtful about the textures and the design, purposely incorporating elements of Southern Ontario.”
Peter Tong, CEO of Tradeport
Tong notes that the passenger jet bridges are not yet installed but will be coming to YHM this winter.
Deluce tells PAX International that while there are some operational efficiency enhancements to be gained from the jet bridges, the primary function is passenger comfort.
“It is really about the customer coming into the terminal and not being outside again,” he explains. “It will modernize this airport.”
Deluce told attendees that the inaugural flights on each route departing from YHM this month are nearly full and bookings for summer are trending well. So much so that the airline has already added a second daily flight between Hamilton and Vancouver from the end of June.
“We will continue working with our tourism partners to promote overall travel to the region and we ask that everyone here also make Hamilton Airport your first choice when traveling within our network,” Deluce says. “What makes Porter different is our commitment to service for everyone who flies with us. We cater to the Economy air traveler, which makes up approximately 90 percent of all people that fly, whether for business or leisure. It does not matter where you sit on the aircraft or how much you paid for your ticket. Every passenger receives the same level of genuine care and elevated service.”
Porter’s E195 aircraft will be flying from Hamilton, offering passengers fast, free Wi-Fi inflight.
“The E195-E2 is very versatile,” Deluce says. “It is extremely quiet, it is a more sustainable narrow-body aircraft available in the marketplace and it has no middle seats. So, people will love it.”
Refreshed baggage claim at YHM
Hamilton Mayor Andrea Horwath calls the partnership between Vantage Group and the city a “bold, forward-looking partnership that is not just revitalizing this terminal but helping secure long-term commitments from airlines like Porter.”
With a 49-year lease in place, Horwath said the renewed agreement “ensures private sector investment and reinforces our city's role as regional air travel leader.”
City of Hamilton Mayor Andrea Horwath addresses attendees at YHM ribbon cutting ceremony
As for the role this new airport location plays in Porter’s network, Deluce tells PAX, “We're growing out of Ontario and serving destinations across Canada and the U.S., soon to expand beyond that, and the greater Hamilton area has a million and a half people that live closer to this airport than any other.”
He explains the geographic location of YHM will allow people to conveniently travel out of Hamilton to a broad range of destinations, ultimately saving time on the journey.
