[JakeLRS]

Here is a look at the Hamilton winter schedule!

I believe we are supposed to get 2 jet bridges in time for the winter. This means some of the morning stretches are dependent on quick aircraft turnover (aka aircraft leaving the gate on time) so the next aircraft could pull in. The only day where this could be an issue is on Mondays. Of course, there will still be the tarmac ramp available and surely Westjet would get the short end of the stick on that one.

Its relatively nice seeing a good size winter schedule! This is larger than this summer's schedule and larger than the past two winters.

 

[6ixGod]

Any particular reason why Porter entered Hamilton? They’re now spread over Bishop, Pearson and Hamilton. Not that I mind, I just find it interesting….no other airlines has managed to do what Porter has done.

 

[FF407]

I think porter is testing the YHM waters with the intent to build it up and downsize at YYZ. If things go well at YHM. This is just a guess.

This is also along the lines of what is happening in Montreal. Having said that I've also heard rumors the are looking to join the One World airlines alliance. If that's true they would likely keep majority of ops at YYZ.

 

[ownthesky]

I think porter is testing the YHM waters with the intent to build it up and downsize at YYZ. If things go well at YHM. This is just a guess.

This is also along the lines of what is happening in Montreal. Having said that I've also heard rumors the are looking to join the One World airlines alliance. If that's true they would likely keep majority of ops at YYZ.

Not to sound like a broken record here, but if that’s the case, YHM will need better regional transit integration. If highway 6 and 403 turns into the same freeway traffic circus around Pearson, that would be such a disappointment.

 

[innsertnamehere]

I think porter is testing the YHM waters with the intent to build it up and downsize at YYZ. If things go well at YHM. This is just a guess.

This is also along the lines of what is happening in Montreal. Having said that I've also heard rumors the are looking to join the One World airlines alliance. If that's true they would likely keep majority of ops at YYZ.

I don't think that's what is happening - Porter has a large order of new jets and is trying to expand it's model of small premiumish airport experiences - see Montreal Metropolitian.

YHM I think is seen as more of a SW Ontario airport, and less a GTA airport. It's capturing Niagara, Hamilton, Halton, Waterloo, London, etc. - not Toronto. YYZ, and really YTZ, will stay to service Toronto.

 

[FF407]

I don't think that's what is happening - Porter has a large order of new jets and is trying to expand it's model of small premiumish airport experiences - see Montreal Metropolitian.

YHM I think is seen as more of a SW Ontario airport, and less a GTA airport. It's capturing Niagara, Hamilton, Halton, Waterloo, London, etc. - not Toronto. YYZ, and really YTZ, will stay to service Toronto.

I've just heard from several sources they aren't happy at YYZ.

 

[Jonny5]

I've just heard from several sources they aren't happy at YYZ.

I noted on a flight earlier this year their cutoff time for checking bags on international flights at YYZ is 90 minutes before boarding ends.
That's really long compared to Air Canada which is only 60 minutes there. Maybe they aren't getting the service from the airport crews they need, or they are marked as so low priority they have to close it off much sooner.

 

[ILikeHamilton]

YHM's cut off for Porter is 45 mins.

 

[PurplePinky]

Any particular reason why Porter entered Hamilton? They’re now spread over Bishop, Pearson and Hamilton. Not that I mind, I just find it interesting….no other airlines has managed to do what Porter has done.

Porter has expanded to so many routes, that’s why they’ve moved to including Hamilton.

They’ve been there for quite a few years now.

I’ve flown Porter and love it.

 

[innsertnamehere]

Any particular reason why Porter entered Hamilton? They’re now spread over Bishop, Pearson and Hamilton. Not that I mind, I just find it interesting….no other airlines has managed to do what Porter has done.

Porters model is a "better experience" for a slightly higher price, basically.

Part of how they have long done that is using small airports and focusing on only the busiest routes to draw from the largest passenger base.

Porter wouldn't be at Pearson if they could land their jets at YTZ, but they can't, so they do it despite it not aligning with their brand. I'm not surprised they don't love operating there.

Hamilton is a similar play to what they are doing at YHU and what they have done at YTZ for almost 20 years now - Building a smaller secondary airport which focuses almost entirely on Porter as basically the only airline. I'm sure they see Hamilton in a similar light - an opportunity for a smaller, more comfortable and accessible airport for passengers in the western Golden Horseshoe, with the bonus of excellent operating conditions (24/7 operations, small terminal, jets permitted, etc.).

 

[HuskyJet]

Porters model is a "better experience" for a slightly higher price, basically.

Part of how they have long done that is using small airports and focusing on only the busiest routes to draw from the largest passenger base.

Porter wouldn't be at Pearson if they could land their jets at YTZ, but they can't, so they do it despite it not aligning with their brand. I'm not surprised they don't love operating there.

Hamilton is a similar play to what they are doing at YHU and what they have done at YTZ for almost 20 years now - Building a smaller secondary airport which focuses almost entirely on Porter as basically the only airline. I'm sure they see Hamilton in a similar light - an opportunity for a smaller, more comfortable and accessible airport for passengers in the western Golden Horseshoe, with the bonus of excellent operating conditions (24/7 operations, small terminal, jets permitted, etc.).

This.

Any particular reason why Porter entered Hamilton? They’re now spread over Bishop, Pearson and Hamilton. Not that I mind, I just find it interesting….no other airlines has managed to do what Porter has done.

Everything @insertnamehere said, plus some further context for you; Porter bought these jets at an extremely favourable time. Embraer has struggled to move the E2 into the market, so as far as I'm aware, Porter bought these jets for pennies on the dollar and has become (or soon will be) the largest operator of the type. Paired with their efficiency and comparatively small number of seats, it isn't as much of a struggle to fill these jets on "thin" routes compared to competitors trying to fill 737s/A320s.

Also remember, though we haven't seen this business model used much in other airlines, we also haven't had regional jets that can economically fly transcontinental ranges before the A220 and now E2. Instead of trying to swim upstream and take market share from AC, WJ, and TS, Porter's shooting for the gaps in the market; "long and thin" routes are where the E2 (and by extension the airline) will shine.

Source: I'm a pilot at Porter so much of this aligns with internal messaging we've received from management re: jet expansion and YHU/YHM operations.

 

[KingJames]

Would love to see Porter expand in Canada with YHM to Kelowna, Montreal (to Metropolitan), and maybe Deer Lake , two of which Swoop I think did well on, if even for the Spring through Fall 2026

 

[FF407]

Would love to see Porter expand in Canada with YHM to Kelowna, Montreal (to Metropolitan), and maybe Deer Lake , two of which Swoop I think did well on, if even for the Spring through Fall 2026

If I had to guess by next year we will see Winnipeg, Moncton and perhaps either St John's or Charlottetown. Just a guess though.

 

[innsertnamehere]

I’d love to see some shorter range spots like NYC or Montreal / Ottawa as well.

 

[DavidJamesTO]

I've just heard from several sources they aren't happy at YYZ.

Doesn't surprise me. You have to go to the back of beyond to get to their gates.