Porter Airlines delays takeoff for Ottawa-Fort McMurray flights

A Porter plane taxis down the runway at the Ottawa International Airport in Ottawa on Wednesday, June 12, 2024. (Sean Kilpatrick/THE CANADIAN PRESS)

Porter Airlines is delaying takeoff of flights between Ottawa and Fort McMurray, Alta. as the airline adjusts service to concentrate winter flights to warm weather destinations.

In August, Porter Airlines announced new service between the Ottawa International Airport (YOW) and the Fort McMurray International Airport (YMM), starting Nov. 17. Three non-stop round-trip flights were scheduled a week.

On Wednesday, Porter Airlines confirmed to CTV News Ottawa the launch of Ottawa-Fort McMurray service has been delayed.

“Yes, we are deferring YOW-YMM. We are making broad network adjustments to concentrate winter flights in warmer weather markets,” a Porter Airlines spokesperson said in an email.

“This applies to a number of routes during the season. We will evaluate the timing of YMM service as we look at the 2026 spring/summer schedule. We are considering other possibilities for Ottawa that will be determined in the coming weeks.”

Officials with the Fort McMurray International Airport said on Facebook the Fort McMurray-Ottawa service will take off in the spring, with a start date to be announced at a later date.

“We know it’s a little longer to wait, but the route is still coming, and we can’t wait to welcome Porter to Team YMM next spring!” the airport said.

Last week, Porter Airlines confirmed the Ottawa-Las Vegas flight would not resume over the winter.

“A decision was made that YOW-LAS will not return to this year’s winter schedule, but we are considering other possibilities for Ottawa that will be determined in the coming weeks,” Porter Airlines said in a statement to CTV News Ottawa.

Porter Airlines is launching non-stop service from Ottawa to Mexico, Costa Rica, the Bahamas and the Cayman Islands in December.