On Tuesday, the Canadian carrier Porter Airlines placed 20 firm orders for the E195-E2 model produced by Embraer. Valued at US$1.56 billion, this deal brings its total firm order for the jetliner up to 50, with options for 50 more. Nonetheless, until a year ago, Porter was supposed to be a customer for the Airbus A220 until it suddenly dropped its commitment for 30 of the type in favor of the Brazilian-produced aircraft. Why did this happen?

Porter’s A220 original order

In December 2012, Porter Airlines signed a letter of intent with Bombardier for 30 CSeries aircraft; a year later, both companies reached an agreement and turned this letter of intent into a firm order. Porter was set to become the Canadian launch customer of the model, which was later renamed the A220, following the Airbus acquisition of the program.

Nonetheless, this purchase agreement was conditional on changes to operating restrictions at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (YTZ), which was Porter’s main operating base at the time.

Porter and Bombardier needed the Canadian Government to lift the 1983 Tripartite Agreement that restricted Billy Bishop from receiving jets like the Boeing 737 and the Embraer E-Jet. The Canadian carrier currently operates 29 De Havilland DHC-8-Q400 aircraft. The airline also had plans to extend the airport's runway.

Dropping that order

In 2015, the Canadian Government refused to lift the ban on jets flying out of the Billy Bishop Airport. Following the announcement, the Canadian press said the ban would likely force Porter to cancel its conditional order, which would have been worth more than US$2 billion at the time. Eventually, that prediction came true.

In January 2021, Porter’s conditional order expired. A few months later, Porter became Embraer's new customer after announcing an order for 30 E195-2s, with purchase rights for another 50 jets. The order was a surprise since Porter had suspended operations due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, it had recently received a loan of hundreds of millions of dollars from the Canadian government.

During the 2022 Farnborough International Airshow, Porter increased its order by adding 20 E195-E2 units to it.

Porter willuse these new jets to launch its ambitions for new nonstop routes across North America. The airline also announced it would begin launching services from Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ).

Michael Deluce, Porter’s president and CEO, said

“Embraer has a proven aircraft, representing the best of environmental efficiency, operating performance, and passenger comfort. We are in final preparations to introduce the E195-E2 to North America, joining other global airlines already benefiting from its use. The aircraft will become core to our fleet as Porter reshapes passenger expectations for air travel in the same way we did over 15 years ago."

Porter remains the launch customer

When Porter signed with Bombardier, it was set to become Canada’s launching customer of the model. Eventually, that honor went to Air Canada, which currently has 30 Airbus A220-300s.

Now Porter Airlines is gearing up for the delivery of its first Embraer E2 aircraft. Interestingly, once the carrier receives its first jetliner from Embraer, it will become the launch customer of the model in North America. It is set to receive its first delivery in the second half of 2022.

With the E195E2, Porter is eyeing continental routes to several destinations, including Miami, Los Angeles, Dallas, Atlanta, Orlando, Nassau, and more.