Porter Airlines to fly direct to Montego Bay from three Canadian cities
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Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett has welcomed new direct air service from Porter Airlines connecting Montego Bay to three Canadian gateways, a move the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) says will add nearly 5,000 seats to the market for the 2026-27 winter tourist season.
The new service includes a pioneering route from Hamilton that will give travellers across the Greater Golden Horseshoe region direct access to Jamaica for the first time.
"This new airlift from Porter Airlines is a powerful affirmation of Jamaica's standing as Canada's premier winter sun destination," Bartlett said in a statement from the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) on Monday. "Connecting Montego Bay directly to Toronto, Ottawa and — for the first time for Porter — Hamilton opens our island to an even wider circle of Canadian visitors."
"Three new non-stop gateways to Montego Bay give Canadian travellers unprecedented ease of access to our beaches, culture and hospitality," he said.
Porter Airlines will operate flights to Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay from Toronto Pearson beginning November 23, 2026, at up to five flights weekly; Ottawa beginning November 25, 2026, at two flights weekly; and Hamilton beginning December 20, 2026, at two flights weekly.
Porter, one of Canada’s fastest-growing carriers, is the only airline offering non-stop service between Hamilton and Montego Bay, the JTB statement said.
Jamaica Tourist Board Director of Tourism Donovan White said Canada consistently ranks among Jamaica's most important source markets. "Three new non-stop gateways to Montego Bay give Canadian travellers unprecedented ease of access to our beaches, culture and hospitality," he said.
The new routes, subject to regulatory approvals, form part of Porter's broader winter sun expansion, which sees the airline grow its warm-weather network by more than 150 per cent year-over-year, adding four new countries and over 15 new routes across its Canadian network.
Jamaica Tourist Board Regional Director for Canada Angella Bennett said the Hamilton route in particular signals strong industry confidence in Jamaica as a destination.
"Porter's decision to add Montego Bay to its winter network — including that pioneering Hamilton route — reflects the confidence the airline community has in Jamaica as a destination that delivers," Bennett said.
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