Porter Airlines authorized to operate flights to Costa Rica, Jamaica, and the UK with its own aircraft
The Canadian airline takes a step forward in its international expansion with approval to use its fleet on Caribbean and European routes previously restricted to codeshare agreements.
Porter Airlines receives approval to launch international flights to Costa Rica, Jamaica, and the UK
The Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA) has authorized Porter Airlines to modify its international service licenses, allowing it to operate scheduled flights to Costa Rica, Jamaica, and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland using its own aircraft.
This decision, outlined in rulings A-2025-100, A-2025-101, and A-2025-102 issued on June 6, 2025, represents a key milestone in the airline's growth strategy. Previously, since March 22, 2023, Porter had been permitted to serve these markets only through codeshare agreements.
The amendments to licenses 230033 (Costa Rica), 230037 (Jamaica), and 230040 (United Kingdom) remove the codeshare-only restriction. As a result, the new condition on the licenses now states: "The license holder is authorized to operate a scheduled international service on the route(s) established under the applicable air transport agreement."
This regulatory change is a direct outcome of Porter’s fleet expansion, centered on the acquisition of Embraer E195-E2 aircraft. These jets offer the range and efficiency needed to connect Canada not only with the Caribbean but also for transatlantic operations to Europe.
What aircraft will Porter use for these flights?
Porter Airlines will deploy its Embraer E195-E2 fleet. These 132-seat aircraft, configured with no middle seat, offer a range of up to 4,665 kilometers (2,519 nautical miles), combining efficiency and comfort to cover Caribbean routes and, notably, cross the Atlantic from Eastern Canada to the UK.
This approval allows Porter to directly compete with its own aircraft on high-demand routes. While the airline has yet to announce the specific cities, launch dates, or flight frequencies for these new services, regulatory approval is a crucial prerequisite for commercial rollout.
The move aligns with Porter’s broader strategy to expand its network from key operational hubs—primarily Toronto (Pearson and Billy Bishop), Ottawa, and Montreal— and paves the way for intercontinental services operated with its own fleet.
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