The theme was Hamilton International Airport: Building a Stronger City at a Hamilton Chamber of Commerce event this week that featured executives from Hamilton Airport and Michael Deluce, President of Porter Airlines, which has become the Airport’s major domestic passenger carrier.
Stewart Steeves, COO of Vantage Airport Group, highlighted the airport’s strong partnership with the City of Hamilton, recently renewed through a new 49-year lease that secures its future as a vital community asset. Each flight, he noted, supports thousands of local jobs and generates hundreds of millions in economic activity through partnerships with airlines like Porter, WestJet, and Air Canada, and cargo carriers including CargoJet, DHL, and UPS.
Steeves also unveiled details of major infrastructure upgrades, including a multimillion-dollar terminal renovation which has been completed and future enhancements such as new jet bridges, enhanced arrivals with digital kiosks, and a reimagined departure lounge, all designed to improve efficiency and the passenger experience.
Porter Airlines CEO Michael Deluce explained the airline’s rapid expansion is reshaping Canadian air travel and why Hamilton is a key part of that story.
Deluce highlighted the company’s post-pandemic resurgence, driven by its new fleet of Embraer E195-E2 jets and a commitment to offering “the best economy travel experience” with no middle seats, free Wi-Fi, real glassware for complimentary drinks, and fresh, high-quality meals.
Deluce told the audience Hamilton International Airport, which Porter began serving in June, is now central to its growth strategy. The airline has already added extra flights to Vancouver and will launch new winter routes to Cancun, Puerto Vallarta, Fort Lauderdale, and Orlando. The Bay Observer contacted Porter to ask if other Canadian routes are being considered and received the following response: “we see significant opportunity in this market to expand our network across North America. If the community can support the current flights, we can consider offering additional service from Hamilton.”
He explained that more than 1.5 million Ontarians live closer to Hamilton International Airport than any other airport in the province, a market that had long lacked consistent, year-round service. Porter’s goal, he said, isn’t to attract Toronto travellers, but to serve this local community with convenient, high-quality options and daily service that rivals larger airports.
