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U.S. aviation officials order Porter Airlines to cut back New Jersey flights

May 20, 2008, Toronto, CP [The Canadian Press] – U.S. aviation officials say Toronto-based upstart Porter Airlines must cut four of 14 daily trips between Newark, N.J. and Toronto to cut down on congestion and delays at the U.S. airport.

But the airline says the order by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration flies in the face of the U.S.-Canada open skies pact, which states that U.S. officials must be fair and equal when dealing with airlines.

Porter brass also say the free market should dictate the level of service, fares and competition in the U.S.-Canada markets. Still, the FAA says its final order will come into effect this summer, a move that Porter says will seriously restrict its operating hours.

Since Porter's home base at the Toronto Island Airport has an 11 p.m. curfew, the airline said it will have to operate in Newark between the hours of 7 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Porter, which started up in late 2006 with a route from Toronto and Ottawa, added their Newark flight in March.