by Jim Byers
Last updated: 5:51 PM ET, Wed September 8, 2021
Porter Airlines and Air Canada are back in business at Toronto's downtown airport.
Both Porter and Air Canada on Wednesday began operating flights at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport/YTZ. They were the first Porter and Air Canada flights out of the airport since the start of the pandemic last year.
Michael Deluce, President and CEO of Porter Airlines, joined Geoffrey Wilson, CEO of PortsToronto, owner and operator of Billy Bishop Airport, and Toronto Mayor John Tory in offering remarks to celebrate the occasion. Passengers and staff were treated to giveaways and prizes, as well as pastries and coffee.
A commemorative first Porter flight to Ottawa was given a special water cannon salute by the airport's firefighting squad.
The restart for Porter and Air Canada came exactly 82 years after the airport's first commercial flight in 1939, a flight that brought the Tommy Dorsey Band to Toronto for a concert.
Air Canada on Wednesday restarted its service from YTZ to Montreal, while Porter will phase in its scheduled offering, with the initial group of Canadian destinations being Montreal, Ottawa, Thunder Bay and Toronto. Service to Halifax, Moncton, Quebec City and St. John's, NL, will return over the next 10 days, while U.S. destinations in Boston, Chicago, New York and Washington are planned to follow on September 17.
Remaining year-round markets served by Porter begin on October 6.
"Our passengers and team members have been waiting for this day to arrive. Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport remains as the world's best urban airport and everyone at Porter is looking forward to welcoming passengers back and delivering our distinct style of service again," said Deluce.
Deluce told TravelPulse Canada the restart rated a "10 or 11" on a scale of one to 10.
"The place looks amazing, and it's so nice to be back and see our staff at work. We currently have over 900 team members who had put in countless hours to get everything ready for our return to service, with more being recalled or hired every week."
Porter has strengthened its existing standards with a focus on high levels of sanitization in order to protect the health of its passengers and team members. More information about the Healthy Flights program can be found on Porter's website.
In addition to Healthy Flights, Porter has also introduced a COVID-19 Vaccination Policy for its team members. To support a safe and healthy workplace and travel experience, team members must present a negative COVID-19 test administered within 72 hours of the start of their shift or be fully vaccinated. The Canadian federal government announced in August its intention to mandate vaccination for federally-regulated workers; once specific details are known, Porter's policy may evolve.
Bookings made before Sept. 30, will be eligible to change or cancel with no fees. Passengers also have the option to book a flight with the Full Refund Option for $40 plus taxes. The Refund Option entitles customers to receive a refund, including base fare, taxes and fees, for their booking upon advance cancellation of their flight for any reason.
Porter earlier this year announced it was buying up to 80 Embraer jets and will be expanding their network to include west coast cities in North America, as well as the southern United States, Mexico and the Caribbean.
It was a big day for Air Canada, too.
"Air Canada is very pleased to offer customers the option of the Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport when travelling to Montreal or connecting beyond from there on our extensive global network," said Mark Galardo, Senior Vice President, Network Planning and Revenue Management, Air Canada. "We are returning with a schedule of five, conveniently timed return trips each day, and we look forward to expanding our daily services as more traffic returns."
Jennifer Drayton of Toronto was one of the passengers heading to Montreal with Air Canada for a business trip. It was her first flight since early last year.
"It feels amazing," she said. "I'm very excited."
Drayton said that she's double vaccinated and feels airlines are taking lots of precautions.
"I feel very safe," she said.
Tory said the island airport is an important draw for business and a vital part of the city's economy.
"Nothing says business is open again like an airport being open and airlines flying," he said. "This airport, and the more people coming in and out of it, is good for our economy. It's good for tourism. It's good for business."
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