Porter bolsters Florida service with West Palm Beach flights

TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov 14, 2024--

Porter Airlines is inaugurating a new route between Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) and Palm Beach International Airport (PBI) today. This is Porter’s sixth destination in Florida.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241114932108/en/

Nonstop, daily service gives passengers travelling between Toronto and The Palm Beaches the opportunity to experience Porter’s award-winning elevated economy experience. Operated with the Embraer E195-E2, the 132-seat aircraft is configured 2-by-2, which means no middle seats for any passenger.

Porter offers a level of genuine onboard hospitality for economy passengers that is unmatched in the skies of North America, with free premium snacks, free, fast WiFi, and complimentary beer and wine served in glassware for everyone onboard.

PorterReserve fares provide an all-inclusive economy experience, with fresh, healthy meals, premium cocktails, dedicated airport check-in, ticketing flexibility, early boarding, and more legroom.

The flight schedule is as follows:

All times are local.

Travellers on this route can connect with Porter to Eastern Canada destinations, including Ottawa and Montreal. The start of service to West Palm Beach means Porter now flies to six destinations in the Sunshine State, including Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers, Miami, Orlando and Tampa. Detailed flight schedules can be found at www.flyporter.com.

Quotes

“Florida has quickly grown to be one of Porter’s most popular U.S. markets. Passengers appreciate having more options when planning their winter getaways and the elevated onboard experience means their vacation begins the moment they step onboard. The Palm Beaches is a great addition to our route map.”

- Kevin Jackson, president, Porter Airlines

“On behalf of Palm Beach International Airport, we're thrilled to welcome Porter Airlines with nonstop service between Toronto and Palm Beach International Airport. The new service will strengthen our connection to one of North America's most vibrant cities, enhancing travel convenience and options for our passengers. We look forward to a successful partnership with Porter Airlines as we continue to expand our international offerings and provide even greater accessibility to South Florida."

- Laura Beebe, director of airports, Palm Beach County

"The longstanding friendship between Canada and the United States is exemplified every year by the almost 4 million Canadian visitors to Florida annually. Porter's announcement of new routes between Canada and the Sunshine State, including today's inaugural flight between Toronto and West Palm Beach, will help travelers on both sides of the border to experience the beauty of both countries and strengthens the already deep economic bonds between us.”

- Sylvia Cesaratto, Consul General of Canada to Florida, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands

"This new direct route from Canada makes it easier than ever for Canadians to experience the beauty of The Palm Beaches’ collection – comprised of 39 enchanting cities and towns. It enhances connectivity with our largest international market and will help boost Canadian tourism for the season. Together with our airline partners, we will provide an enhanced travel experience to new and returning travellers with unforgettable experiences in The Palm Beaches - Florida’s most stylish vacation destination.”

- Milton Segarra, president and CEO, Discover The Palm Beaches

About Porter

Since 2006, Porter Airlines has been elevating the experience of economy air travel for every passenger, providing genuine hospitality with style, care and charm. Porter’s fleet of Embraer E195-E2 and De Havilland Dash 8-400 aircraft serves a North American network from Eastern Canada. Headquartered in Toronto, Porter is an Official 4 Star Airline® in the World Airline Star Rating®. Visit www.flyporter.com or follow @porterairlines on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

Porter Airlines is inaugurating a new route between Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) and Palm Beach International Airport (PBI) today. This is Porter’s sixth destination in Florida. (Photo: Business Wire)

LONDON (AP) — European Union regulators issued their first antitrust fine to Facebook parent Meta on Thursday with a penalty of nearly 800 million euros for what they call “abusive practices” involving its Marketplace online classified ads business.

The European Commission, the 27-nation bloc's executive branch and top antitrust enforcer, issued the 797.72 million euro ($841 million) penalty after its long-running investigation found that the company abused its dominant position and engaged in anti-competitive behavior.

It’s the first time the EU has imposed a fine on the social media giant for breaches of the bloc’s competition law. Brussels has already slapped Big Tech rivals Google and Apple with billions in antitrust penalties.

The commission had accused Meta of distorting competition by tying its online classified ad business to its social network, automatically exposing Facebook users to Marketplace “whether they want it or not" and shutting out competitors.

It was also concerned that Meta was imposing unfair trading conditions with terms of service that authorized the company to use ad-related data — generated from competing classified ad platforms who advertise on Facebook or Instagram — to benefit Marketplace.

Meta's practices gave it “advantages that other online classified ads service providers could not match,” Margrethe Vestager, the commission's executive vice-president in charge of competition policy, said in a press release “This is illegal under EU antitrust rules. Meta must now stop this behaviour.”

Meta said in a statement that the decision fails to prove any “competitive harm” to rivals or consumers and “ignores the realities of the thriving European market for online classified listing services.”

The company said the Commission's case ignores the fact that Facebook users can choose to ”engage with Marketplace, and many don't." It said online marketplaces, including global sites like eBay, Europe-wide platforms like Vinted, and national services are continuing to grow.

Meta said it would comply with the Commission's order to end the offending conduct and not repeat it, but also vowed to appeal.

The case dates back to 2021, when European Union regulators and their counterparts in Britain opened dual investigations into the classified business. The British regulator wrapped up its investigation last year after Meta made concessions.

The company continues to face EU scrutiny on other fronts, including investigations into whether Facebook and Instagram child safety and election integrity measures comply with the bloc’s digital rulebook. Meta has previously been hit with a series of fines for breaches of the EU’s stringent privacy laws, including a record 1.2 billion euro penalty last year.

FILE - The Meta logo is seen at the Vivatech show in Paris, France, on June 14, 2023. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus, File)