Porter Airlines is beginning 2011 with a significant jump in year-over-year passenger volume.  Figures for January show a load factor of 51.7 per cent, based on 85.2 million ASMs (Available Seat Miles) and 44.1 million RPMs (Revenue Passenger Miles).  This represents a 7.6 point load factor increase from 44.1 per cent in January 2010.  ASMs grew 16.7 per cent from 73.1 million and RPMs increased 36.8 per cent from 32.2 million over the same period.

“These numbers are a good beginning for what, we anticipate, will be another year of growth at Porter,” said Robert Deluce, president and CEO of Porter Airlines. “The increase in load factor is encouraging during the traditionally slow first quarter when ASMs are strategically reduced across our network compared to peak periods.”

Porter is scheduled to accept delivery of four new Bombardier Q400 aircraft in the second quarter of 2011, increasing total fleet size to 24.  Announcements about service improvements, including potential new destinations and increasing flights to existing cities, will be made prior to these deliveries.