After months of speculation, Porter Aviation Holdings Inc. (PAHI) announced today that it is opening a new division, Porter Escapes, to offer vacation packages to customers available through a dedicated website as early as this spring.

Packages built around Porter Airlines destinations will combine flights and hotel accommodation, with car rental and travel insurance available as further options. Individual pieces of the package may also be booked separately. Working with tourism partners in each destination, the next phase for Porter Escapes will include theatre, spa, adventure and other package themes that meet individual tastes.

“Porter Airlines has developed a strong leisure travel following,” said Robert Deluce, president and CEO of PAHI. “Many of our passengers are already creating these personal getaways on their own. Now, we want to offer more than just flights to get them there and back.”

While all 19 current Porter destinations are candidates for Porter Escapes packages, the initial focus is primarily on leisure areas, including Myrtle Beach, S.C., Mont Tremblant, Que., and Burlington, Vt. Other popular cities, such as Toronto, Ottawa, Quebec City, Montreal, Boston, New York, Washington and Chicago, are also intended to be part of the initial rollout before growing to other locations.

“Packages will be available at various price points and provide the level of quality that people have come to expect from Porter,” said Deluce. “We are talking with a number of potential partners, some of which will offer packages exclusive to Porter Escapes.”

Specific prices will be set when packages are ready for sale as early as the second quarter of 2012. Purchases can be made through a dedicated Porter Escapes website, registered travel agency partners, or direct with the airline.

Porter Escapes will operate as a subsidiary of PAHI. It is a separate Travel Industry Council of Ontario-registered business led by a dedicated team with tour and travel industry experience, including licensed in-house agents.

About Porter Airlines

Founded in 2006, Porter Airlines has revolutionized short-haul flying with a warm and effortless approach to hospitality and restoring glamour and refinement to air travel. An Official 4 Star Airline® in the World Airline Star Rating® by Skytrax, and rated second in the world in Condé Nast Traveler’s Readers Choice Awards Top Small Airlines category, Porter is committed to providing a premium travel experience. Complimentary amenities include luxurious airport lounges, Starbucks coffee, premium snacks, and wine or beer onboard. 

The airline currently offers flights to Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, Quebec City, Moncton, Halifax, St. John’s, Thunder Bay, Sault Ste. Marie, Sudbury, Timmins, Windsor, New York (Newark), Chicago (Midway), Boston (Logan), Washington (Dulles) and has seasonal flights to Mt. Tremblant, Que., Myrtle Beach, S.C., and Burlington, Vt.

 Visit www.flyporter.com or call (888) 619-8622 for more information.