Porter’s Hamilton Service Heralds New Era for Airport

A new life for a beleaguered Canadian airport. And more flights to Canadian destinations.

Porter Airlines and John C. Munro International Airport officials have announced a major expansion and airport improvements at YHM, including new flights to four Canadian destinations, terminal touch-ups and passenger screening area makeovers.

The moves will boost Porter’s footprint in Canada at a time when Canadians are talking about staying home and also improve Hamilton’s vastly underutilized airport. The changes also should attract new southern Ontario customers and possibly cut back on pax crossing the border to fly out of Buffalo/Niagara.

Porter will initiate service at YHM beginning in early June 2025, introducing daily service from Hamilton to four YYC, YEG, YVR and YHZ.

“The Porter experience is something that travellers in Hamilton have never seen before,” said Michael Deluce, CEO, Porter Airlines. “Hamiltonians and their neighbours have long deserved a commitment such as what Porter is making, with four routes connecting them across the country.

“We see significant opportunity in this market to expand our network across North America and believe that the community can support these initial flights, which will position us to consider offering additional service from Hamilton.”

According to the YHM website, airport enhancements “will include an updated exterior frontage with new and expanded canopies to improve curb operations, and a refresh of terminal interiors from check-in counters and passenger screening areas to gate seating and baggage claim. Integration of architectural elements and finishes inspired by the region’s natural geography will lend the airport a unique sense of place, while new digital signage and lighting upgrades will enhance the overall travel journey.

“Additionally, future enhancements will include passenger jet bridges to connect the terminal directly to aircraft – a first for Hamilton International – and terminal infrastructure upgrades to position the airport for future expansion to accommodate expected air traffic growth.”

Initial flight schedules for each route are as follows:

All times local.