The airline is hoping to reach several new destinations in North America using the jets.
Porter Airlines has taken delivery of two Embraer E195-E2 aircraft in a ceremony at Embraer’s HQ in Brazil. The carrier is the North American launch customer for the plane and has already planned several new routes around it. The E2 will enable the airline to launch flights to Western Canada for the first time in its 16-year history.
Delivery
Porter Airlines received the first two of its 50 Embraer E195-E2 aircraft on order and will soon expand its reach by launching several new routes.
The airline has orders with Embraer for up to 100 E195-E2 aircraft – 50 firm commitments and 50 purchase rights. In 2021, Porter ordered 30 Embraer E195-E2 jets, with purchase rights for a further 50 aircraft, worth US$5.82 billion at list price, with all options exercised. A firm order for a further 20 aircraft followed in 2022, valued at US$1.56 billion.
Photo: Embraer
Michael Deluce, president and CEO, Porter Airlines, commented,
“… The E195-E2 enables us to reach across the continent, beyond our Eastern Canada roots, while introducing a level of service for economy air travellers that no other North American airline provides. It’s an enhanced experience that builds on our reputation for providing an elevated level of service to every passenger at reasonable prices in a single class of service. The first planes are ready to fly to Canada later this month before going into regular service in February.”
Routes announced so far
The aircraft will enable Porter to explore many locations outside Eastern Canada, with the airline hoping to operate in various North American, Mexican, and Caribbean destinations. The aircraft will initially be deployed from Toronto Pearson International Airport, and the routes announced so far include the following:
- Vancouver International Airport – beginning once daily on February 7th, increasing to three return trips daily by March 21st.
- Ottawa/Macdonald–Cartier International Airport – four return trips daily from February 1st.
- Montréal–Trudeau International Airport – beginning once daily on February 1st, increasing to four return trips daily by February 7th.
- Edmonton International Airport – Beginning once daily on February 14th, increasing to three return trips daily by April 19th.
- Calgary International Airport – two return trips daily from February 22nd.
Photo: Embraer
Advantages of the E2 jets
Porter has chosen to configure the 146-seat aircraft in a comfortable 132-seat all-economy configuration, with a variety of seat pitches on offer for their guests: 36, 34, and 30 inches.
Arjan Meijer, president and CEO, Embraer Commercial Aviation, commented,
“Porter is focused on delivering what we all want – making the air travel experience a pleasure. Along with their exciting levels of service and generosity, Porter’s entire fleet is also without the dreaded middle seat, and will also satisfy the sustainability needs of Porter’s guests.”
Photo: Embraer
Meijer also pointed out the environmental credentials of the new jets highlighting that the E195-E2 is the most sustainable single-aisle aircraft, at 65% quieter and up to 25% cleaner than previous-generation aircraft. It has the lowest fuel consumption per seat and per trip among 120 to 150 seat aircraft and is the quietest single-aisle jet flying today.
Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA) recently awarded Type Certification to Embraer’s E195-E2 and E190-E2 jets, and Porter Airlines is also building two new maintenance hangars in Ottawa for its E2 fleet.
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