Porter announced Donald (Don) Carty, founding and current Chairman of the Board of Porter Airlines, has been inducted into Canada’s Aviation Hall of Fame (CAHF).
The induction ceremony was held Sept. 17 at Porter Airlines’ aircraft maintenance facilities at Ottawa International Airport (YOW).
Carty has served as Porter’s chairman since the airline’s early days and has helped oversee its development over the past two decades.
His career also includes senior leadership roles at several major airlines. Carty previously served as Chairman and CEO of AMR Corporation and American Airlines, as well as President and CEO of CP Air, which later became Canadian Airlines International. He has also served as Chairman of Virgin America and as a board member of Hawaiian Airlines.
“This recognition by Canada’s Aviation Hall of Fame is a genuine career highlight,” said Carty.
Don Carty (Photo Credit: LinkedIn)
“Every stop in my journey has been unique, with each airline having its own influence on the industry. My time with Porter continues to be among the most enjoyable things that I’ve done. It’s a shining example of having a vision that no one else did and then working incredibly hard to see it through to reality against long odds in the eyes of many people. I’m extremely proud of what we’ve accomplished to date in redefining the way Canadians fly today.
“During my 20-plus years at American, I witnessed transformative industry shifts – from deregulation and open skies policies, to launching the world's first major airline loyalty program. CP Air and Canadian helped to form the foundation of competitive air service in the country that exists in different forms today. And Virgin America and Hawaiian demonstrated exceptional service innovations and operational standards that made everyone get better. Aviation is a remarkable business and it continues to be as dynamic as ever.”
Carty’s Role in Porter’s Early Years
Robert Deluce, Porter’s founder, Executive Chairman and a 2017 CAHF inductee, pointed to Carty’s role in developing the airline’s original business plan and securing investor confidence.
“Don was vital to stress testing our business plan and lending the highest degree of credibility to our efforts," said Deluce.
This was particularly meaningful with investors, who valued Don’s global perspective. The fact that Don continues to lead our Board of Directors and that all of our initial investors remain with the company today speaks volumes about his influence. He remains among the most influential leaders in the history of our industry.”
Porter CEO Michael Deluce, who was part of the airline’s founding executive team, said Carty also provided guidance as the company worked to establish its operations at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport.
“We were attempting to do something unique at the time by revitalizing Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport and making it a real alternative to what was previously in the market. This wasn’t a straightforward process and we had to consistently find creative ways of achieving our objectives. Don was always available to offer advice and support whenever it was needed. It’s something that I continue to value with our relationship today,” he said.
Canada’s Aviation Hall of Fame Class of 2026
Three other aviation figures were inducted into the Hall of Fame as part of the 2026 class.
Robert Banks was recognized for his contributions to human factors research in aviation, including work involving flight surgeon training and the physiological stresses associated with flight.
Ken Molson was honoured for his work preserving Canadian aviation history. He was the first curator of the National Aviation Museum and was involved in archival initiatives documenting the country’s aviation heritage.
Michael Potter was inducted for his work preserving and restoring historic aircraft. Potter founded the Vintage Wings of Canada Foundation and VinTech Aero Inc., which specializes in the restoration and repair of historic aircraft.
The Air Transport Association of Canada (ATAC) also received the Belt of Orion Award for Excellence. Established in 1934, ATAC represents Canada’s commercial aviation sector and has been active for more than 90 years.
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