Mayor Rob Ford says he sees “no downfall” in allowing Porter Airlines to begin flying jets in and out of Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport.
The Toronto-based airline confirmed Wednesday that it has signed a conditional purchase order with Bombardier for 12 CS100 jets, with options for an additional 18.
The US$2.29 billion deal hinges on the city, the federal government and the Toronto Port Authority agreeing to revise a 1983 agreement that bans jet-powered aircrafts from using the airport.
Provided that there is support for such a change, the runway would then have to be expanded 168 metres in either direction into Lake Ontario in order for the larger aircrafts to have enough room to safely land.
“I support (Porter president and CEO) Mr. (Robert) Deluce, Billy Bishop Airport and Porter Airlines,” Ford told reporters at city hall Thursday. “If they want to expand and it helps out people, it helps out the business and it creates jobs then there is just no downfall to it.”
Several councillors have expressed concern with Porter’s expansion plans, saying that the larger planes could result in significant noise pollution in the city core, but on Thursday Ford said he believes Deluce when he said that the new jets will produce a similar noise level as the 70-seat turboprops the airline currently uses.
“The only thing I am worried about is noise but they say it runs very quiet, so if there is not a noise issue than there really is not an issue,” he said “Council should support it.”
The new jets seat 107 people and would allow Porter to begin flying to more far flung locations, such as Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Los Angeles, Florida and the Caribbean.
Speaking with CP24 Wednesday, Deluce said the new jets will allow the seven-year-old regional carrier to “spread its wings.”
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