"...We are doing more to keep you safe:" Porter CEO Michael Deluce unpacks airline's COVID-19 strategy

Porter Airlines has released a statement in response to ongoing concerns over COVID-19.

"You’ve placed your trust in us to get you where you need to go, and we’re taking necessary steps to enhance your health and safety while travelling during this uncertain time," Michael Deluce, president and CEO at Porter wrote in a letter to customers Tuesday (March 10). 

Deluce stated that Porter is "closely following developments" through international public health and transportation agencies, including the World Health Organization (WHO), International Air Transport Association (IATA) and Canadian and U.S. authorities. 

"We want you to fly with confidence when travelling with us,"  Deluce wrote. "Porter was already following WHO standards when it comes to aircraft cleaning and sanitization. In response to COVID-19, we are doing more to keep you safe."

That includes: 

Aircraft cleaning: "All of our aircraft go through standardized grooming procedures that exceed Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) guidelines. As of this month, we’ve taken additional precautionary measures and introduced the use of hospital grade, broad spectrum disinfectant to sanitize all areas throughout the aircraft," he said. 

Personal protective supplies: "Additional hygiene and sterilization resources have been introduced on our aircraft," he said. 

Sterilization kits: "Each aircraft is equipped with a sterilization kit for crew to use if there is concern that a passenger may have COVID-19 symptoms," he said. 

Air filtration: "Installed in each of our aircraft are industry-leading filtration systems that provide the highest level of air quality available. Modern aircraft have cabin air systems that deliver approximately 50% outside air and 50% filtered, recirculated air. The recirculated air employs high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters that perform similarly to those used to keep the air clean in hospital operating rooms," he said. 

Porter has implemented a flexible change policy on all fares to give travellers more freedom to travel and peace of mind when booking. 

For more information, click here. Travellers can also stay up-to-date with the latest information by visiting Porter's Travel Alerts page.  

"We are prepared to navigate through these challenging circumstances with your safety and confidence in Porter at the forefront of everything we do. We look forward to seeing you onboard soon," Deluce concluded. 

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