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The Rise and Fall of Porter Airlines — Digital Marketing News This Week

Jeremy Kressmann

Photo Credit: Porter Airlines has won raves from fliers for its high-end service, but its growth plans may ultimately be stunted by powerful competitors like Air Canada. Flickr / BriYYZ

Skift Take

Fliers consistently rave about the perks and convenience of airlines like Porter. But the sad truth is that more powerful industry competitors and government regulators can make or break the success of upstarts, simply by denying access to key airports or limiting their growth.

This week we're talking about the business challenges faced by Porter Airlines. The Canadian regional airline has won consistent praise from travelers for its free booze, convenient airport close to downtown Toronto and sleek design aesthetic. What's not to love then? The answer, it seems is Canada's new Liberal Party government (with alleged support from Porter competitor Air Canada), which has denied plans for the airline's expansion in Toronto, stunting its future growth. Porter's current challenges, along with the impending merger of much-loved Virgin America with Alaska Airlines, are good reminders of just how difficult it can be to shake up the airline industry. A premium product loved by its passengers alone doesn't cut it when wild cards like government red tape and backd

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