“A powerful affirmation”: Jamaica applauds Porter’s new Montego Bay service

Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett, is welcoming new direct service from Porter Airlines to Montego Bay.

The new flights from Toronto (YYZ), Ottawa (YOW) and Hamilton (YHM), announced Thursday (April 30), mark a significant expansion of airlift between Canada and Jamaica for the 2026–27 winter season.

It represents new access from markets that have shown strong appetite for Caribbean travel, says the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB).

Hamilton is an untapped gateway that will bring Jamaica within direct reach of travellers across the Greater Golden Horseshoe region for the first time.

“This new airlift from Porter Airlines is a powerful affirmation of Jamaica’s standing as Canada’s premier winter sun destination. Connecting Montego Bay directly to Toronto, Ottawa and — for the first time for Porter— Hamilton opens our island to an even wider circle of Canadian visitors. We have worked deliberately to grow our Canadian airlift, and Porter’s expansion is a direct result of that effort. Jamaica is open, vibrant and ready to welcome every traveller who steps off these new flights,” said Minister Bartlett in a statement. 

Porter will operate flights to Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay from three Canadian gateways - Toronto Pearson beginning November 23, 2026, at up to five flights weekly; Ottawa beginning November 25, 2026, at two flights weekly; and Hamilton beginning December 20, 2026, at two flights weekly.

READ MORE: Porter adds Aruba, San Jose, Montego Bay & Los Cabos, boosts sun by more than 150%

Porter is the only airline offering non-stop service between Hamilton and Montego Bay.

Flights will operate aboard Porter's Embraer E195-E2 aircraft, where passengers receive complimentary wine and beer served in glassware, premium snacks and free, fast Wi-Fi. There are also no middle seats.

"Unprecedented ease of access"

“Canada consistently ranks among Jamaica’s most important source markets, and this announcement from Porter Airlines reinforces why. Three new non-stop gateways to Montego Bay give Canadian travellers unprecedented ease of access to our beaches, culture and hospitality,” Donovan White, director of tourism at the Jamaica Tourist Board.

The new routes, subject to regulatory approvals, form part of Porter’s winter sun expansion which sees the airline grow its warm-weather network by more than 150 percent year-over-year, adding four new countries and over 15 new routes across its Canadian network.

The new connectivity helps build momentum ahead of Jamaica’s upcoming winter season, following last year’s setback caused by Hurricane Melissa.

“Canadian travellers have a deep and enduring love for Jamaica, and demand from markets like Toronto, Ottawa and southern Ontario has never been stronger,” said Angella Bennett, regional director for Canada at the Jamaica Tourist Board.

“Porter’s decision to add Montego Bay to its winter network — including that pioneering Hamilton route — reflects the confidence the airline community has in Jamaica as a destination that delivers. We will be working with Porter and our trade partners across Canada to ensure these seats fill quickly and that every passenger arrives in Jamaica ready to experience everything the island has to offer.”

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