Porter Airlines Landing in Hamilton With Four Routes

HAMILTON, Ontario--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb 4, 2025--

Porter Airlines is bringing significant new air service to Hamilton, with four routes launching in June. John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport (YHM) will be connected coast to coast through daily flights to Calgary (YYC), Edmonton (YEG), Halifax (YHZ) and Vancouver (YVR), starting this June, coinciding with a series of airport terminal enhancements.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250204793744/en/

The airline’s distinct approach to economy air travel will be welcomed across the Hamilton region. Porter’s signature experience begins with complimentary wine and beer served in glassware, and premium snacks for every passenger. All routes will be operated with the new 132-seat Embraer E195-E2. The aircraft’s two-by-two configuration means there are no middle seats, and free, fast WiFi allows for easy online access, including the ability to stream preferred personal entertainment as if you were at home.

For passengers wanting an all-inclusive onboard experience, PorterReserve fares include fresh, healthy meals and premium cocktails on longer flights. Extra legroom seats at the front of the aircraft, and other features such as the ability to change flights without a fee, dedicated check-in and security, and two checked bags are included with all trips. PorterClassic fares offer these additional perks à la carte, giving travellers the opportunity to customize their experience in a way that works for them.

“The Porter experience is something that travellers in Hamilton have never seen before,” said Michael Deluce, CEO, Porter Airlines. “Our team takes great pride in delivering amenities that make flying something to look forward to, doing so with an emphasis on care and service. Hamiltonians and their neighbours have long deserved a commitment such as what Porter is making, with four routes connecting them across the country. We see significant opportunity in this market to expand our network across North America and believe that the community can support these initial flights, which will position us to consider offering additional service from Hamilton. YHM’s planned terminal investments are another benefit that will contribute to making the passenger journey seamless”

Initial flight schedules for each route are as follows:

The introduction of service coincides with airport enhancements underway at Hamilton International. From curb to gate, passengers will enjoy an enhanced guest experience with new and expanded curb canopies, a refresh of terminal interiors from check-in counters to gate seating, new digital signage, and architectural and design finishes.

“We are delighted to welcome Porter Airlines to Hamilton International as a strategic airline partner, as we invest in the success of our airport today and well into the future.” said Cole Horncastle, Executive Managing Director, John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport. “Porter’s elevated economy service, on-board experience and air service connecting passengers to and from key destinations across Canada are a perfect fit for the stress-free, convenient airport experience we offer here at Hamilton International.”

“I am absolutely thrilled to welcome Porter Airlines to Hamilton’s John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport and to see Vantage Group’s continued investment to enhance passenger facilities. This is a major win for the City of Hamilton and will significantly transform our airport’s passenger service offerings. For years, the John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport has been home to Canada’s largest domestic overnight express cargo service, fueling our community's economic growth and creating jobs,” said Mayor Andrea Horwath. “But Hamiltonians have also longed for more robust passenger options to serve travellers from our city and surrounding communities. The strategic partnership between Porter Airlines and Vantage Group/TradePort, with whom the city recently completed a successful new long-term lease, is a significant investment that will rejuvenate and boost passenger services and will benefit residents, businesses, and the broader region for decades to come.”

Porter is the only airline with comprehensive schedules at all three major airports in the Greater Toronto Hamilton Area. The downtown convenience of Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, combined with the North American reach of Toronto Pearson International Airport, and Hamilton International’s local appeal gives travellers throughout the Golden Horseshoe a range of choices to meet their travel needs.

Flights are available for booking at www.flyporter.com and with travel agents.

About Porter

Since 2006, Porter Airlines has been elevating the experience of economy air travel for every passenger, providing genuine hospitality with style, care and charm. Porter’s fleet of Embraer E195-E2 and De Havilland Dash 8-400 aircraft serves a North American network from Eastern Canada. Headquartered in Toronto, Porter is an Official 4 Star Airline® in the World Airline Star Rating®. Visit www.flyporter.com or follow @porterairlines on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

Porter Airlines is bringing significant new air service to Hamilton, with four routes launching in June: Calgary, Edmonton, Halifax and Vancouver. (Photo: Business Wire)

PUTRAJAYA, Malaysia (AP) — Imprisoned former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak was convicted Friday following a corruption trial tied to multibillion-dollar looting of the 1MDB state investment fund.

The nation’s High Court found Najib, 72, guilty on four counts of abuse of power and 21 charges of money laundering related to more than $700 million channelled into his personal bank accounts from the 1MDB fund.

Najib's defense team was expected to make mitigation arguments before sentencing later Friday.

Najib denied any wrongdoing and maintained the funds were a political donation from Saudi Arabia and that he had been misled by rogue financiers led by Low Taek Jho. Low, thought to be the scandal’s mastermind, remains at large.

Justice Collin Lawrence Sequerah said Najib’s claim of a Saudi donation was “incapable of belief." Four letters purportedly from the Saudi donor were forged and evidence clearly showed the funds originated from 1MDB, he said.

He rejected defense arguments that Najib was an unwitting victim, duped by former 1MDB officials and Low. Witness testimonies had pointed to an “unmistakble bond” between Najib and Low, who had played a pivotal role in the scandal and operated as “the proxy, the conduit, the intermediary and the facilitator” for Najib in 1MDB, the judge said.

The judge noted that Najib failed to take steps to verify the origin of the massive funds nor took action against Low. Instead, Najib used the money despite its suspicious origins and also took steps to protect his position, including by removing the then-attorney general and anti-corruption chief investigating the case, he said.

“The accused was no country bumpkin,” said Sequerah, who took five hours to read the ruling. “Any attempt to paint the accused as an ignoramus who was hopelessly unaware of the misdeeds going around him must therefore, fail miserably.”

The ruling marked a major milestone in one of the world's largest financial scandals, which rippled across global markets and triggered investigations in the United States and other nations.

Dressed in a blue suit, Najib appeared calm and at times wrote in his notebook.

Najib, who served as prime minister from 2009 to 2018, currently is serving a prison sentence after being convicted in an earlier case linked to the 1MDB scandal, which led to his government’s defeat in 2018.

He was sentenced to 12 years in prison in 2020 for abuse of power, criminal breach of trust and money laundering involving 42 million ringgit ($10.3 million) channeled into his accounts from SRC International, a former unit of 1MDB.

He began his sentence in August 2022 after losing a final appeal, becoming Malaysia’s first former leader to be jailed. The Pardons Board, a body that advises rulers on granting clemency, halved his sentence and sharply reduced his fine in 2024.

Najib set up the 1MDB development fund shortly after taking office in 2009. He chaired 1MDB’s advisory board and held veto power as finance minister while serving as prime minister.

Between 2009 and 2014, top executives and associates of Najib looted over $4.5 billion from the fund, laundering it through countries including the U.S., Singapore and Switzerland, according to the U.S. Justice Department. Authorities alleged the funds were used to finance Hollywood films and extravagant purchases including hotels, a luxury yacht, art and jewelry. Jeff Sessions, the U.S. attorney general at the time, called it “kleptocracy at its worst.”

The scandal also hit Wall Street, with Goldman Sachs facing billions in fines for its role in raising money for 1MDB.

The scion of a prominent political family, Najib was long seen as untouchable until public anger over 1MDB led to the 2018 election defeat of his ruling party, which had governed Malaysia since the country gained independence from Britain in 1957.

Earlier this week, Najib failed in his bid to serve his graft sentence under house arrest. Malaysia’s High Court ruled Monday that a rare royal order for home arrest issued by the nation’s former king was invalid because it was not made in accordance with constitutional requirements. Najib’s lawyer has said they plan to appeal.

Originally due for release in August 2028 after his sentence reduction, Najib now faces a longer stretch behind bars.

Najib’s wife, Rosmah Mansor, also was sentenced to 10 years in prison and a massive fine in 2022 in a separate graft case. She has been released on bail pending an appeal.

FILE - Malaysian former Prime Minister Najib Razak, center, is escorted by prison officers on his arrival at the Kuala Lumpur High Court complex in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Oct. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian, File)