CTA approves Porter’s requests to operate flights to Costa Rica, Jamaica & the U.K.

The Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA) has approved requests from Porter Airlines to operate scheduled flights to Costa Rica, Jamaica and the United Kingdom using its own aircraft.

As noted on the CTA’s website, the agency, back in March 2023, first granted Porter permission to operate scheduled international service to those destinations, but through code sharing.

The Toronto-based airline now wishes to operate its own flights, says the CTA, which approved its requests in a determination that was posted on June 6.

132-seat Embraer E195-E2 aircraft have been leading Porter’s expansion, which, in recent years, has focused on adding North American routes in both Canada and the United States.

The airline’s E195-E2 jets are known for their no-middle-seat seating configuration, free and fast Wi-Fi, and complimentary beer, wine, and premium snacks.

Porter’s plans for Costa Rica, Jamaica and the U.K. (Great Britain and Northern Ireland) aren’t yet publicly known. The airline has yet to announce an official flight schedule.

All eyes on Costa Rica

The possibility of more air lift connecting Canada with Costa Rica is unsurprising, however.

Last week, Costa Rica’s Minister of Tourism, William Rodriguez Lopez, was in Toronto for a Costa Rican roadshow for Canadian tour operators and travel advisors.

Speaking with PAX, Minister Lopez hinted that “a bunch of announcements” around new non-stop flights from Canada to Costa Rica are coming before year-end.

“You are going to have the best connections from Canada to Costa Rica really soon,” he said.

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