Canadian airline Porter Airlines is expanding its international network with five new direct routes from Ottawa for the 2025-2026 winter season. These new sun destinations in Mexico, Costa Rica, the Caribbean and the Bahamas consolidate Ottawa International Airport's (YOW) growing role as a hub for leisure travel.
Significant expansion into dream destinations
Starting in December 2025, travellers from Ottawa will have access to five attractive new destinations. These are Puerto Vallarta and Cancún in Mexico, from Liberia in Costa Rica, from Nassau in the Bahamas, and Grand Cayman in the Cayman Islands. The flights, which start before December 19, are a first for Porter Airlines, making it the only carrier to connect Ottawa directly to Liberia and Grand Cayman.
Kevin Jackson, President of Porter Airlines, expressed his enthusiasm: "The launch of these destinations is a celebration of our growth into new regions and another demonstration of Porter's commitment to Ottawa-Gatineau." The company now claims to offer more flights from YOW than any other carrier, with a total of 24 non-stop routes planned for this winter.
Embraer E195-E2 comfort and efficiency
These new routes will be operated by Embraer E195-E2These are modern 132-seat aircraft with a 2+2 configuration. These aircraft, powered by Pratt & Whitney GTF engines, offer a significant reduction in fuel consumption, up to 25% compared with previous generations. Porter Airlines is committed to offering a premium travel experience as part of its hybrid business model.
On board, passengers benefit from Free Wi-Fiof alcoholic beverages served in real glasses and premium canadian snacks. This distinctive approach positions Porter Airlines favorably in the face of competition from Air Canada and cross-border low-cost carriers.
Ottawa, a strategic pillar of the Porter network
With these additions, Ottawa confirms its position as a Porter Airlines network strategic pillarThese new routes offer even greater choice and convenience. Susan Margles, CEO of the Ottawa Airport Authority, commented: "These new routes offer even more choice and convenience. Porter's continued investment underscores Ottawa's position as the hub of its network."
The airline now serves 24 destinations from the nation's capital, including flights to Florida and, from 2026, to Miami and Phoenix. Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe hailed the initiative as "excellent for residents and for our local economy", against a backdrop of year-on-year traffic growth at Ottawa airport of 20%.
These new routes also reflect active collaboration with tourism boards and partner airports. In Costa Rica and the Bahamas, local authorities are delighted with the potential impact on tourism and the expected increase in Canadian traffic.
A competitive winter for travel in the sun
The 2025-2026 winter season promises to be particularly dynamic for flights to sun destinations from Canada. Porter Airlines, by strengthening its positioning as a regional full-service carrier with the introduction of the E195-E2, is preparing for increased competition. This expansion confirms the rapid transformation of Porter, which has grown from Billy Bishop (Toronto City Airport) to a major regional airline. national and international ambitions The Group is also a major player in the medium-haul market, capitalizing on connections from secondary airports.
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