Canada's Porter Airlines to double fleet with major order of Embraer jets

Porter Airlines is tapping opportunities from the COVID-19 pandemic with a firm order for 30 Embraer E195-E2 jets that will double the Canadian carrier's fleet and allow it to add new routes in the United States, Mexico and the Caribbean, CE Michael Deluce said on Monday. Earlier, Brazilian planemaker Embraer said Porter was the mystery buyer behind an order of up to 80 E195-E2 jets, a deal previously announced in May. Porter placed an order to buy a record 30 jets and options for 50 more, for a total value of $5.82b based on list prices, Embraer said. The order, Toronto-based Porter's largest ever, is part of a reshaping of Canada's post-pandemic air travel sector. Tiny ultra low cost carrier Flair Airlines is introducing cross-border service, raising pricing pressure as market leader Air Canada restores routes. "It certainly will be highly competitive," Deluce said.<br/>