TORONTO — Porter Airlines pilots, represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA), have served formal notice to bargain, marking the start of their first collective agreement negotiations under the Canada Labour Code.

“By joining ALPA last month, the Porter pilots now have a collective voice as we formally begin negotiations for our first collective agreement,” said Captain Andrew Axson, chair of the Porter pilots’ Master Executive Council. “We are excited to have access to ALPA resources as we engage with Porter’s management to enhance both the commercial success of the airline and the well-being of our pilots and their families.”

The move follows a grassroots initiative called “Porter Pilots for Change,” which led to the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) certifying ALPA as the official bargaining agent for Porter pilots on Aug. 11, 2025.

Axson added that the goal is to secure a fair contract that reflects pilots’ contributions to the airline’s growth and success. “Porter pilots are proud of our profession and where we work. We remain fully invested in both our company’s growth, as well as our customers’ safety and satisfaction. Our contract should reflect the dedication, value and skill we bring to the airline.”

Porter is Canada’s fourth-largest airline with more than 800 pilots based in Toronto, Vancouver, Thunder Bay, Ottawa, Montréal and Halifax. T

ALPA, founded in 1931, represents more than 80,000 pilots at 43 airlines in Canada and the United States, making it the largest airline pilot union in the world.