Travellers will be able to escape the cold winter weather in Ottawa and fly to Mexico, Costa Rica, Bahamas and Cayman Islands on direct flights this winter. Porter Airlines has unveiled plans to launch non-stop service to warm weather destinations in December, as part of its first flights to sun destinations from Ontario. According to the Porter Airlines website, the airline will launch non-stop service from Ottawa to Nassau, the Bahamas and Puerto Vallarta, Mexico on Dec. 13. On Dec. 17, Porter Airlines will begin non-stop service from Ottawa to Liberia, Costa Rica and Cancun, Mexico. Porter will kick-off non-stop service from the capital to Grand Cayman Island on Dec. 19. “We’re thrilled to see such a significant expansion of Porter’s winter schedule, bringing even more sun destinations within easy reach for our community,” Susan Margles, president and CEO of the Ottawa International Airport Authority, said in a statement. “These added flights mean more choice, more convenience, and more opportunities for Ottawa-Gatineau passengers to escape the cold and enjoy some well-deserved warmth next winter. Grand Cayman and Costa Rica are brand new destinations for YOW, making the announcement even more exciting.” Porter Airlines says it will operate three flights a week at the peak between Ottawa and Cancun, and two departures a week between Ottawa and Puerto Vallarta and Ottawa-Liberia. There will be one flight a week between Ottawa and Nassau and the Ottawa Airport and Grand Cayman. You can now book flights on the Porter Airlines website. Porter Airlines will also be offering routes from Toronto and Hamilton to Mexico, the Caribbean and Costa Rica. “These are Porter’s first routes outside of our longtime presence throughout Canada and the U.S., and we’re starting off in a big way by introducing five distinctly different destinations,” Kevin Jackson, president of Porter Airlines, said in a statement. “This is a significant development for anyone who wants to fly with Porter to more places and experience our award-winning service that focuses on making flying enjoyable for economy travellers.”