TORONTO — Porter Airlines could be eyeing a new sun destination.

The Canadian Transportation Agency has issued Porter a license to operate scheduled international service to St. Maarten.

Airlines often apply to the CTA for licenses to operate routes that may not transpire for years, if at all. It’s a matter of keeping options open.

St. Maarten though could be right up Porter’s alley. Porter is keen to stay diversified and grow its winter sun destination network, as President, Kevin Jackson, and CCO Eddy Eldebs, outlined to Travelweek last month at the airline’s 20th anniversary celebrations. 

For winter 2026-2027, Porter’s five new sun destinations include Aruba, Costa Rica, Los Cabos, Montego Bay and Turks and Caicos. Those flights are in addition to existing service to Cancun, Puerto Vallarta, Nassau, Grand Cayman and Liberia. 

Sun vacation packages with Porter’s joint venture partner Transat are currently available from six Canadian departure airports, with destinations varying by gateway.

“We announced five new routes last winter, our first winter into Mexico, Latin America and the Caribbean. We were very happy with the results, so much so that we’ve expanded again this year,” said Eldebs.

In total Porter will operate nearly 1,400 flights to sun destinations from Toronto Pearson this winter, a year over year increase of more than 115%.