Ottawa International Airport (YOW) has quietly turned into one of Porter Airlines' most important hubs in North America, with new numbers showing just how fast that growth has moved.
From five destinations to 23
In summer 2019, Porter flew to just five destinations from Ottawa, with 158 departures a week. By this past August, that had grown to 23 destinations and 250 weekly departures, an average of 36 flights a day out of YOW. The airline's March 2027 winter schedule pushes that further still, to 31 destinations, including seven in the U.S., three in Mexico and six in the Caribbean.
"Connecting passengers play a critical role in supporting routes that local demand alone can't sustain," says YOW Vice-President of Business Development and Marketing Joel Tkach, who added that Ottawa continues to function as a major connecting hub in Porter's growing network.
More sun destinations this winter
For the 2026-27 winter season, Porter is doubling capacity on its Ottawa-Cancun route, from five flights a week to 10, and boosting Fort Myers service from three weekly flights to five. Ottawa travellers also get some routes no one else offers: Porter is the only airline flying directly to Aruba and Los Cabos from YOW, along with Montego Bay from Hamilton.
The airline is also growing its partnerships. It's expanding a joint venture with Air Transat to feed that airline's Ottawa-London Gatwick route, and has agreements giving Ottawa passengers broader network access through American Airlines, a founding member of the Oneworld Alliance, and Alaska Airlines, a major West Coast U.S. carrier.
Jobs and training in the capital
Porter's Ottawa investment isn't just about flights. In May 2024, the airline opened a 150,000-square-foot aircraft maintenance base at YOW that now employs nearly 120 people.
That's fed a growing relationship with Algonquin College. Porter and the college have expanded a partnership covering employment, hands-on training and aviation programs, including aircraft maintenance technician and aviation management streams. The two have also set up scholarships and awards supporting 10 second-year aircraft maintenance students every year.
"Our collaboration with Porter Airlines is a cornerstone of our strategy to integrate industry-leading practices into our curriculum and provide our students with unmatched real-world experience," says Algonquin College President Claude Brulé.
What's next for Porter
The growth isn't slowing down. Porter has approximately 22 more jets on order, with purchase rights for another 25, suggesting Ottawa's route map and flight frequency could keep expanding well beyond the current winter schedule.
Sources: Ottawa Business Journal, Ottawa International Airport Authority (YOW)
