Porter Airlines

Porter Pilots Chart a Course for the Future

In less than two decades, Porter Airlines has successfully transformed from a small, regional carrier based in Toronto, Ont., to Canada’s fourth-largest airline. The company is maintaining its strong growth trajectory and will celebrate its 20th year in operation this October.

This rapid expansion, which now includes routes across Canada, the U.S., Mexico, and the Caribbean, has driven significant hiring, with the pilot group increasing by more than 150 percent in the last five years. This unprecedented growth and the crucial need for a formal representational structure led the pilots to seek ALPA as their bargaining agent.

The Canada Industrial Relations Board certified the Association as the official bargaining representative for Porter pilots in August 2025. Following certification, the pilot group moved swiftly to establish a Master Executive Council (MEC) and elect pilot leaders. The MEC created internal committees and set up three strategically located Local Executive Councils to ensure robust and comprehensive representation for all Porter pilots across Canada.

With their organizational structure complete and fully mobilized, MEC leaders immediately appointed a Negotiating Committee, which began preparing for the pilots’ first collective agreement.

The pilot group officially entered direct negotiations with management in December 2025, with the intent of achieving a strong first agreement. With access to ALPA’s vast resources, the group is well positioned to contribute to the airline’s continued prosperity while simultaneously securing a stable, rewarding, and long-term professional future for every Porter pilot.