MELBOURNE, Fla. (September 14, 2015) --- Famous for its premium passenger experience, Toronto-based Porter Airlines announced this morning that it has selected Orlando Melbourne International Airport (MLB) as its first entry into the Florida market. According to MLB Executive Director Greg Donovan, AAE, this is a sign of things to come, and reflects the airport’s first fulfillment of a commitment to bring more international tourism to the region. “Canada is our top visitor market,” said Donovan. “We can promise Porter passengers a warm and enthusiastic welcome at the same high level of customer service they have come to expect. We are a concierge airport – connecting another concierge airport – with the famous Porter experience.”
The weekly seasonal flights will commence Saturday, December 19th from Toronto’s Billy Bishop Airport (YTZ), arriving at MLB around noon, which is perfectly timed for check-in at local hotels. “Passengers can be on the beach in less than 10 minutes,” said Donovan. Billy Bishop Airport is an experience in itself, located on an island in the heart of Toronto and accessible via the world’s shortest ferry and a gleaming new pedestrian tunnel. Donovan said that local travelers will appreciate the shorter travel time to Toronto’s central business and entertainment districts, avoiding congested colossal airports requiring more time and expense.
“We see this as a great opportunity to meet current requests that we have for Florida flights and demonstrate the demand that exists for Porter to serve the state in a more meaningful way long term,” said Robert Deluce, president and CEO of Porter Airlines.
EIGHT NEW CANADIAN MARKETS
Travelers in both directions will benefit from the simplicity of Porter’s Toronto hub, with connecting service available for these Canadian cities: Montreal, Ottawa, Sault Ste. Marie, Sudbury, Thunder Bay, Timmins and Windsor. “This new service opens up a total of 8 Canadian markets for our region,” said Eric Garvey, executive director of the Space Coast Office of Tourism. “Our partnership with MLB and Porter is a strong indicator of what tourism and air travel can accomplish together. This is the first international scheduled commercial service to MLB in decades. To have that flight originate from our top tourism market just makes this announcement sweeter still.”
CLOSEST AIRPORT TO FLORIDA’S BEACHES, CRUISES AND MORE
MLB is the closest airport to cruises at Port Canaveral and the Kennedy Space Center where the shuttle Atlantis is now on display. The Orlando-Melbourne area provides Porter’s passengers with near immediate access to 72 miles of beautiful beaches, the world’s most popular theme parks and attractions, shopping, dining and an average year-round temperature of 72 degrees. The Space Coast region also includes interactive museums and a spectacular array of wildlife and unspoiled natural habitats.
PORTER EXPERIENCE
In addition to its premium passenger experience and vintage flight attendant uniforms, Porter also offers complimentary wine, beer and other refreshments onboard. All passengers also have included lounge access in Toronto, featuring comfortable seating, complimentary snacks and beverages.
THE WEALTH FACTOR
Toronto is Canada’s largest city. The market encompasses one-fourth of the country’s population and a whopping half of its nation’s wealth. “Clearly this is an opportunity that any Florida community would value,” said Garvey. “International visitors stay longer, and Canadian tourists of this caliber inject more discretionary funds into the local economy. MLB provides Porter passengers with immediate access to the beach or a direct shuttle to theme parks. No congestion, no frustration. Their Florida vacation starts nearly immediately.”
CANADIAN DRAW TO VERO BEACH
Melbourne Airport Authority Chairman Bill Potter commended the marketing partnerships with the local TDCs, including the Indian River Chamber of Commerce featuring Vero Beach, one of the top destinations for Canadian winter visitors to Florida. “It will be great to see our vision for the international concourse fulfilled. We value this opportunity to showcase our airport’s international capabilities.”
AIRCRAFT
Initially, Porter will fly its easily identifiable Bombardier Q400s as it works to build its Florida market.
For more information on flights and Porter Escapes, the airline’s vacation packages option, visit www.PorterEscapes.com. Packages to the Orlando-Melbourne area will be available in the coming weeks. For information on MLB, please go to www.MLBair.com.
About MLB MLB serves as the Atlantic coast’s gateway to Florida’s beaches, cruises and attractions. With nearly 500,000 passengers annually, it is credited with generating more than a billion dollars in economic activity for the Space Coast region. Known as “America’s fastest growing Aviation and Aerospace Manufacturing Center”, MLB boasts tenants such as aviation giants Harris Corp. (world HQ), Embraer, Northrop Grumman, L3, General Dynamics, GE Transportation, Thales Group and Rockwell Collins. It is the closest airport to Port Canaveral, Kennedy Space Center/NASA and the surfing capital of Cocoa Beach. Currently served by Delta Airlines, American Airlines, Baer Air and Elite Airways, the facility features three runways, a 200,000 square-foot terminal, a 40,000 square-foot fully-outfitted customs facility and is part of FTZ #136. For more information, visit www.MLBair.com. MLB is a proud marketing partner with the Space Coast Office of Tourism (VisitSpaceCoast.com) and the Indian River Chamber of Commerce (IndianRiverChamber.com)
About Porter Airlines
Porter Airlines has revolutionized short-haul flying with a warm and effortless approach to hospitality, restoring glamour and refinement to air travel. Porter is an Official 4 Star Airline® in the World Airline Star Rating® by Skytrax and has been rated Top Small Airline in the World by Conde Nast Traveler’s Readers Choice Awards.
