Porter Airlines plans to expand its service across Canada and the U.S., and has signed a conditional purchase agreement for 30 new jets to help it achieve the growth.
Porter President and CEO Bob Deluce made the announcement Wednesday at Toronto's Billy Bishop Airport, saying Porter had inked a deal with Bombardier on Tuesday night for the CS100 jets.
The company will seek permission to fly the brand-new jets out of the downtown airport and to extend the main runway by 168 metres at each end.
"Ladies and gentlemen, we believe it is time to spread our wings and so I present to you our vision for the future of Porter Airlines, a vision with service to destinations across North America from Calgary and Vancouver to Los Angeles, Miami and Orlando.
"To allow us to realize our dreams we have selected the ideal aircraft and it is made right here in Canada, Bombardier CS100."
Deluce also unveiled a life-sized version of the cabin of the new jet, which will be unveiled later this year at the Paris air show.
According to a statement, Porter has agreed to an initial purchase of 12 of the CS100 jets, with an option to purchase 18 more. The first jets would be delivered in 2016.
Until now Porter has used the Bombardier Q400 turboprop aircraft, which has a range of two-and-a-half nonstop flying hours, restricting its capabilities.
Deluce said the airline chose the new CS100 because, like the Q400, it is a quiet plane suited to an urban airport.
"It is the quietest commercial jet in production. This whisper jet is up to four times quieter than esixisting aircraft and is comparably quiet to our existing Q400s," Deluce said.
The deal also includes purchase rights for six more Q400 aircraft.
The total purchase value for the jets reach US$2.29 billion if all options and purchase rights are exercised.
