February 2011

Porter Airlines is bolstering its schedule on three existing routes with increased frequency between Montreal and Halifax, Moncton and Ottawa, and Toronto and Ottawa. All additional service begins April 13.

The Montreal-Halifax route will operate year-round with up to two daily non-stop roundtrip flights, increased from four weekly flights. This service also makes possible one daily roundtrip flight between St. John’s and Montreal, connecting in Halifax.

Daily service from Moncton to Ottawa, continuing to Porter’s downtown base at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport offers increased travel options. Porter is offering one daily roundtrip flight, plus two roundtrips on Sunday, up from four weekly flights. The summer schedule on this route, beginning June 27, includes a seasonal increase with up to two daily roundtrip flights

Service between Ottawa and Toronto is also increasing to as many as 21 daily roundtrip flights, up from a previous peak of 19. This is the highest number of daily flights on the route for Porter since it began in 2006.

"These service improvements fulfill one of our promises to support our four core destinations; Montreal, Ottawa, Halifax and Toronto," said Robert Deluce, president and CEO of Porter Airlines. "It is important to build our presence in these markets with routes that operate every day and year-round to provide passengers with consistent choice."

Highlights of the new schedule include:

- Montreal-Halifax – 2 daily roundtrip flights

- Moncton-Ottawa – 1 daily roundtrip flight

- Moncton-Toronto* – 1 daily roundtrip flight

- Ottawa-Toronto – up to 21 daily roundtrip flights

Until March 11, 2011, you’ll receive 4 free flight credits with the purchase of the 100-credit Flight Pass or 8 free flight credits when you buy a 200-credit Flight Pass.

Porter Airlines is adding Ontario cities Sault Ste. Marie and Windsor to its growing route map this spring.

Service in Windsor begins on April 27, with up to three daily roundtrips to Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport. Connecting markets through Toronto include Ottawa, Montreal, Halifax, Thunder Bay, Quebec City, Boston, Chicago and New York. One-way fares start at $89, plus fees and taxes.

Sault Ste. Marie flights begin on May 4, with up to two daily roundtrips to Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport. Connections with Sault Ste. Marie exist via Toronto for Ottawa, Montreal, Thunder Bay, Halifax, Boston, Chicago and New York. One-way fares begin at $99, plus fees and taxes.

"We look forward to bringing our unique service to Windsor and Sault Ste. Marie," said Robert Deluce, president and CEO of Porter Airlines. "This expanding network provides more opportunities for passengers to choose Porter when travelling to important regional cities."

"I’m thrilled that Porter has decided to add daily flights from downtown Toronto to Windsor. I’ve been advocating for this route for years, based on our region’s business needs and tourism offerings," said Sandra Pupatello, Minister of Economic Development and Trade and MPP Windsor West. "Porter’s expanded service provides a boost to Ontario’s economy -- market access and ease of travel are certainly considerations for businesses making investment decisions and tourists making travel plans."

"We are extremely delighted to welcome Porter Airlines to the City of Windsor. With Porter's newest expansion, Windsor has solidified its place as a key growth market for business and leisure," said Eddie Francis, Mayor of Windsor and Chair of the YQG Board. "Our efforts and investment in our strategic assets are paying off. Three daily flights to downtown Toronto with connections throughout Canada and U.S. ensure our residents, visitors and businesses have more choice, convenience and comfort for their travel needs."

"The Sault Ste. Marie Airport Development Corporation (SSMADC) is very excited for Porter Airlines to begin serving the Sault, with daily flights to Toronto. With the addition of Porter, the Sault airport improves its customer service in offering various connecting destinations to locations beyond the GTA, both in Canada and the United States," said Jerry Dolcetti, Chair of the SSMADC.

The airline is also doubling service between Sudbury and Toronto starting April 27, with up to two daily roundtrip flights, increased from one. By flying through Porter’s base of operations at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, travellers can continue on to popular destinations including Ottawa, Montreal, Quebec City, New York, Boston, and Chicago.

"Our community immediately embraced Porter, starting with its inaugural flight nearly one year ago, so this latest increase in service is a natural progression as Porter continues to build its program in Sudbury," said Robert Johnston, CEO, Greater Sudbury Airport. "This announcement of increased service is a positive sign of the growth potential."

Known for its affordable, premium service, including complimentary in-flight wine and beer, extra legroom and all-access departure lounges, Porter operates a fleet of 70-seat Bombardier Q400 aircraft. It features high cruising speed, revolutionary cabin noise-reduction technology and environmentally-friendly engines.

Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport is conveniently located just minutes from downtown, providing easy access to the financial and entertainment districts.

I am pleased to announce that as of today, the National Business Travel Association (NBTA) has officially evolved into the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) in order to meet the growing demands and increasing globalization of business travel. Your membership will still be powered locally, but you will now have access to an expanded base of global connections and resources.

In conjunction with the GBTA launch, we are enhancing our member value proposition through a broader global focus and new member features and benefits which have been refined and expanded so the organization is better aligned with your professional needs. A few of the planned changes include:

·     An expanded global footprint of networking and educational events, many of which will be complimentary for members

·     Free worldwide registration for members to all GBTA webinars

·     Access to new and improved industry research and resources – including global benchmarking tools

·     Enhanced online collaboration and information sharing

·     An internationally driven and interconnected committee network offering global guidance

·     Continued expansion of the GBTA network for representation in every major business travel market

In addition, GBTA will soon offer advanced networking – giving members the ability to find the expert they need on any topic, in any global region, and collaborate with them. This will be coupled with a new, more robust website which will allow you to find resources more easily and enable greater collaboration. GBTA will also continue to have a strong voice in industry advocacy, reflecting the increasingly global nature of the changes happening in the business travel industry.  

Together with GBTA, you will have seamless access to industry-leading resources, cutting-edge research, an expanded global network, and much more. Watch your mail for exciting new ways to participate, and experience the new GBTA, your global hub for business travel.

Michael W. McCormick
Executive Director & COO
GBTA

Plaza Premium Lounge ended the year with a bang and started 2011 with a bang too. On November 25, 2010, they launched their flagship lounge at the "Lounges B" area on Level 4 at the International Departures area in Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA). With a total floor space of 575 sq.m and a total seating capacity of up to 170 people, it showcases their Airport Premium Services under one proverbial roof.

For a minimal charge, passengers can now enjoy a myriad of services: enjoy a freshly prepared full course buffet extravaganza (vegetarian options available), spend some time at the Wi-Fi enabled Internet stations to catch up on the business or just keep in touch with loved ones. You can even try the lounge spa that will rejuvenate you and keep you invigorated so that you are ready to go; or you can just sit back, watch movie, read magazines and enjoy a nice cocktail or a cold glass of beer from the fully stocked lounge bar.  This is an experience passengers will not forget anytime soon.

They are also proud to announce that their Plaza Premium Lounge at the Arrivals Level is now ready to spread its wings and fly. The lounge features services that were previously never available at IGI Airport. Plaza Premium Lounge feel that arriving passengers are equally important, hence the enhanced services at the Arrivals Level.

Upon arrival you can now avail of facilities such as 14 shower rooms and 16 nap suites with attached bathrooms, international TV channels, free Wi-Fi, Internet workstations, foot reflexology and seated massage. You don’t need to rush out of the airport anymore – you can actually take your time before moving on.

With our Airport Premium Services at both Departures and Arrivals you can now go first class before you travel and experience an arrival that is truly pleasurable.

Known as the ‘city of gardens’, Victoria explodes with color earlier than any other Canadian city – even its US neighbours. And with cherry blossoms in full bloom as early as February, visitors are provided with an early glimpse of the coming spring.

This spring stay at the Empress for rates starting as low as $129.00 a night. This offer includes accommodation in a Fairmont room, a $25 resort credit per stay and the ability to upgrade to a Fairmont Gold room for only $69.00. Book now as this offer is only available til April 30^th, 2011.

Regarded on the Condé Nast Gold List 2011 & Travel + Leisure 500, Best Hotels of the World 2011, The Fairmont Empress hotel majestically rises over Victoria's sparkling Inner Harbour. Turn of the century architecture and timeless beauty complement the quintessential Victoria experience as Vancouver Island's premier luxury resort destination.

Enjoyed by kings, queens and celebrities, cherished memories are created for guests of Afternoon Tea in the hotel's historic Tea Lobby.  A recent multi-million dollar renovation of each Fairmont Gold   room and suite epitomize modern luxury accommodations, unrivalled in Victoria.

The Fairmont Empress is Victoria's premier meeting destination   and offers unparalleled meeting facilities, adjacent to The Victoria Conference Centre. A bounty of dining options   with a farm to fork philosophy ensures the best of Vancouver Island is engaged in your dining experiences.