BY ARIANNA NEELY
BAHAMAS JOURNAL WRITER
Porter Airlines officially made its debut into the Caribbean market on Tuesday afternoon, landing its first flight to Nassau from Toronto. Government officials, airport leaders, tourism executives and airline representatives gathered at Lynden Pindling International Airport for a ceremony they described as an historic milestone for both the airline and The Bahamas.
The inaugural flight received a traditional water cannon salute before passengers were greeted by tourism and aviation officials and led into a celebration inside the arrivals terminal. Bahamian cultural displays and promotional signage lined the space, reflecting the country’s branding push toward the Canadian travel market. Officials described the launch as a strategic advancement that strengthens aviation connectivity and expands the country’s share of Canadian tourism traffic.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Investments and Aviation I. Chester Cooper delivered remarks welcoming Porter to Nassau. He called the launch an achievement that highlights the strength of the Bahamian tourism product and the confidence international partners continue to show in the destination.
“Today is truly a great day for The Bahamas and for Porter Airlines. It is an absolute privilege to greet our new partners here in Nassau as we celebrate history. The inaugural flight of Porter Airlines connecting Nassau and Toronto. The first expansion of the airline beyond North America. And I know you’ve heard that before, but it’s deserving of another round of applause,” he said.
He added that Porter’s selection of The Bahamas as its first Caribbean landing reinforces a partnership rooted in tourism growth. “We are profoundly honoured that when the time came to look south, to choose a partner for this expansion, you chose The Bahamas. Today Nassau becomes Porter’s very first landing in the Caribbean,” Cooper said.
During the ceremony, leaders from the Ministry of Tourism highlighted increasing activity from the Canadian market, noting that arrivals from Canada are already outpacing previous years and tracking significantly higher than 2023. Officials say the uptick is supported by targeted marketing campaigns in Canadian cities and longstanding partnerships with tourism agencies and airport operators.
Porter Airlines Senior Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer Edmond Eldebs spoke on behalf of the Canadian carrier and described the move as a major development in the airline’s growth strategy.
“For the first time in Porter’s history, we’re growing our network beyond Canada and the U.S. and bringing Nassau into our network. We are extremely proud to be the first airline in North America to operate the state-of-the-art Embraer E-195 aircraft. Porter has been flying since 2006, and with our new E2 fleet, we are changing the definition of economy air travel by offering highly competitive pricing and an enjoyable passenger experience for everyone who travels with us,” Eldebs said.
Porter’s service model includes amenities uncommon in standard economy travel, such as no middle seats, complimentary premium snacks, free beer and wine served in glassware, and free high-speed Wi-Fi. Company officials noted that this elevated model aligns with the Bahamian tourism product, which focuses on premium service and destination value.
Airport executives also addressed the gathering, noting that the addition of a new international carrier expands opportunities for jobs, infrastructure development and passenger traffic at Lynden Pindling International Airport. Leaders from Nassau’s tourism promotion agencies echoed that sentiment, saying Porter’s new route will be supported by marketing in Canada with the goal of increasing visitor arrivals.
The event concluded with a ceremonial exchange of gifts between Porter executives and Bahamian tourism officials, followed by photos with airport partners including immigration, customs and Nassau Flight Services teams, who will support the new service.
Tourism officials say more Canadian routes are currently being evaluated and described the partnership with Porter as a long-term investment in aviation growth. With the first flight now complete and daily service underway, industry leaders expect an increase of Canadian visitors and a strengthened connection between the two countries.
