Porter Airlines to expand Toronto terminal

[Bulldog]

Porter Airlines to expand Toronto terminal

TORONTO, April 27 (Reuters) - Porter Airlines said on Monday it will invest more than C$45 million ($37 million) in a new passenger terminal at Toronto City Centre Airport, as the closely held carrier looks to win a larger share of the Canadian market.

Porter, which is challenging its bigger, listed rivals Air Canada (ACa.TO) and WestJet Airlines Ltd (WJA.TO), also said it will more than double its fleet to 18 Bombardier Inc (BBDb.TO) planes and add new destinations.

The announcement comes just weeks after both Air Canada and WestJet said their planes flew less full in March and as many North American airlines are struggling with a weaker industry.

Porter said the terminal will include aircraft gates and office space when it opens in November. The full facility will be completed by spring 2010 and include 10 bridged aircraft gates, passenger lounges and U.S. and Canadian customs.

Porter is the only airline that flies out of Toronto's City Centre Airport, located minutes away from the city's financial district. Its rivals fly out of Pearson International, up to an hour's drive northwest of downtown Toronto.

Porter also said its new facilities would be able to accommodate another carrier but that it will work to get it filled with its own planes first.

($1=$1.21 Canadian) (Reporting by Frank Pingue; editing by Peter Galloway)

http://www.reuters.com/article/marketsNews/idUSN2732319420090427

[Gambitt]

Now, they just have to convince the Morons at City hall to let them put in a bridge to the airport!