‍TORONTO — Porter Airlines (PD) is accelerating its expansion at John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport (YHM), launching new international nonstop service to Florida and Mexico as part of its growing North American strategy.

The first new routes begin this week, with flights to Orlando (MCO) launching December 12 and Fort Lauderdale (FLL) following on December 13. Both Florida routes initially operate three roundtrips per week, strengthening Hamilton’s position as a leisure-focused alternative to Toronto Pearson.

Later this month, Porter will add two Mexican destinations from Hamilton. Cancún (CUN) service begins December 17 with up to four weekly roundtrips, while Puerto Vallarta (PVR) launches December 18 with twice-weekly service, expanding the airline’s winter sun offering beyond the U.S.

Embraer E195-E2 Anchors Growth

All new international flights from Hamilton are operated by Porter’s 132-seat Embraer E195-E2, reinforcing the aircraft’s central role in the carrier’s expansion. The E2 fleet features a 2-by-2 seating configuration, eliminating middle seats, along with free high-speed Wi-Fi across the cabin.

Porter continues to differentiate itself through its “elevated economy” proposition, offering complimentary beer and wine served in real glassware, premium snacks, and optional fresh meals through its PorterReserve fare, with buy-on-board options available under PorterClassic.

Building Momentum at Hamilton

Porter entered the Hamilton market in June 2025, launching year-round domestic service to Calgary (YYC), Edmonton (YEG), Halifax (YHZ), and Vancouver (YVR). These routes remain core to the carrier’s strategy at YHM, providing a domestic backbone that now supports international growth.

According to Porter, the Hamilton expansion reflects both strong regional demand and the airport’s appeal as a lower-congestion gateway for Southern Ontario travelers.

Network Snapshot: Porter at Hamilton (YHM)

Why This Matters

Porter’s international expansion from Hamilton underscores a broader industry trend: secondary airports paired with next-generation narrowbodies are increasingly viable for transborder and leisure routes. The E195-E2’s efficiency allows Porter to profitably serve medium-density markets without the scale requirements of larger hubs.

For Hamilton, the move enhances its profile as a true international gateway. For Porter, it signals growing confidence in its E2 fleet strategy — one that blends network flexibility, passenger comfort, and cost discipline as the airline continues to challenge traditional network models in North America.

Full schedules and booking details are available at flyporter.com.