OTTAWA- Porter Airlines (P3) and the Ottawa International Airport Authority (OIAA) are celebrating the grand opening of Porter’s new aircraft hangars and maintenance base at YOW.
The two aircraft hangars, with a combined size of approximately 150,000 square feet, will support the maintenance of Porter Airlines’ expanding Embraer E195-E2 fleet and existing De Havilland Dash 8-400s. Porter has up to 100 E195-E2s on order, with 33 currently in service, and a total of 29 Dash 8-400s.
Porter Maintenance Base at Ottawa
The Ottawa International Airport Authority (OIAA) has constructed a new taxiway and related infrastructure to support the hangar development, representing a combined $125 million investment in YOW’s future.
YOW will serve as a primary maintenance base for Porter, with 200 local team members being hired, including 160 Aircraft Maintenance Engineers (AMEs), shop technicians, store clerks, and administrative support.
These highly skilled roles will be based in Ottawa. To support this, Porter and Algonquin College are forming a long-term strategic partnership to enhance work-integrated learning opportunities and support program development and training, specifically at the Ottawa hangars.
Notable programs at Algonquin College include Aircraft Maintenance Technician and Aviation Management, aligning with the aviation industry’s growing needs and demonstrating a commitment to the future of aviation professionals.
Ottawa is Porter’s fastest-growing market outside of Toronto, contributing to the airline’s strong Eastern Canada network and expanding western markets. This summer, Porter will offer more daily flights from YOW than any other carrier, with 16 non-stop routes and an estimated two million passengers traveling through YOW in 2024.
By the end of the year, Porter expects to employ over 400 team members in Ottawa, including customer service, pilots, flight attendants, and maintenance staff.
The Ottawa International Airport Authority (OIAA) invested $15 million to construct Taxiway Romeo in the airport’s north field area. This is the first airside expansion project in the OIAA’s 20-year history and supports Porter’s hangar development, future federal government needs, and other commercial aviation projects.
Executive Remarks
Michael Deluce, CEO of Porter Airlines, stated, “The investments in new aircraft hangars and local hiring are foundational to Porter’s future in Ottawa. Porter’s presence at YOW has grown significantly in the past year with new non-stop routes using both our E195s and Dash 8s, and we plan to add an E195-E2 crew base at the airport. Our partnership with Algonquin College is extremely valuable, providing us access to local talent and giving students career opportunities close to home. We are investing meaningfully in Canada’s Capital Region and see more growth in its future.”
Mark Laroche, president and CEO of OIAA, added, “Porter Airlines’ commitment to YOW is transformational for Canada’s Capital Region, bringing economic and social benefits for decades. Today’s hangar opening demonstrates how being an airline’s hub airport creates new levels of prosperity and connectivity.”
Mark Sutcliffe, mayor of Ottawa, said, “Thank you to the team at Porter Airlines for recognizing Ottawa’s potential as a perfect place to expand operations. More flights in and out of Ottawa is great news for our residents, entrepreneurs, tourists, and the economy.”
Claude Brulé, President of Algonquin College, noted, “Our collaboration with Porter Airlines is a cornerstone of our strategy to integrate industry-leading practices into our curriculum and provide students with unmatched real-world experience. This partnership aligns with our mission to transform hopes and dreams into lifelong success and enhances our contributions to the aviation industry.”
Details about the Maintenance Facility
The hangars are designed and built with sustainability in mind, featuring:
- Electric Fleet: Predominantly electric vehicles will be used for towing, servicing aircraft, and ground support.
- Energy Efficiency: Design criteria exceed current standards for insulation, heating, ventilation, air conditioning, lighting, and electrical power systems.
- Insulated Metal Panels (IMPs): The hangars are clad in IMPs, which are superior to standard metal siding and have a lifespan greater than 60 years. They are constructed with approximately 35% recycled steel and can be recycled at the end of their life.
- Low Carbon Footprint: Materials used have a low embodied carbon footprint, 28% lower than conventional tilt-up assemblies.
- Structural Efficiency: The structure spans 85.6 meters (280 feet) using prefabricated trusses, with a steel tonnage-to-span ratio of approximately 30% less than conventional rolled steel section beams.
- Fire Protection: Dual fire protection systems are in place, including a conventional sprinkler system and an instantaneous foam deluge system in aircraft parking and maintenance areas. The fire suppression systems are supported by an onsite underground water storage tank with approximately 1.2 million liters of water.
- Stormwater Management: Two 173,000-liter underground tanks will capture excess rain/stormwater, preventing stress on existing city mains.
The hangars were designed by Scott Associates Architects, with PCL Construction as the Construction Manager, and Span Construction & Engineering also involved.
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