News Summary
Porter Airlines has announced the cancellation of its nonstop flight service from Toronto to San Diego, effective June 25, 2025. The decision comes after a substantial decline in travel demand due to political tensions and economic factors, resulting in a 70% drop in bookings on Canada-U.S. routes. Alongside this, plans for a new Montreal to Las Vegas route have also been scrapped. By suspending these operations, Porter joins other Canadian airlines in adjusting to changing travel demands, leaving Air Canada as the sole operator on this route.
San Diego – Porter Airlines has announced that it will discontinue its nonstop flight service from Toronto to San Diego, with the final flight scheduled for June 25, 2025. Thisdecision comes less than a year after the route was launched on December 10, 2024, and reflects a notable decline in travel demand from Canada to the United States.
The airline cited a significant drop in passenger travel as a primary reason for the route’s cancellation. Various factors, including heightened political tensions and tariffs, have influenced crossover travel between the two countries, leading to a sharp decline in bookings on Canada-U.S. routes, which have decreased by 70% compared to the previous year. The decision to suspend operations on this route contributes to an ongoing trend among Canadian airlines to recalibrate their services amid lower demand for U.S. travel.
Along with ceasing operations on the Toronto to San Diego route, Porter Airlines has also scrapped plans for a new route from Montreal to Las Vegas, which was slated to begin in January 2026, further indicating a strategic shift away from longer-distance U.S. flights.
Initially, Porter Airlines introduced the Toronto to San Diego route with aspirations of expanding its presence in California, complementing existing flights to San Francisco and Los Angeles. Despite this effort, travel performance did not meet expectations. Following the suspension, Air Canada will be the sole airline offering nonstop service between San Diego and Toronto, maintaining daily flights with Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft.
The current landscape of air travel between Canada and the U.S. illustrates broader trends affecting the aviation industry. Air Canada noted that uncertainty surrounding tariffs instituted by the previous U.S. administration, paired with a depreciating Canadian dollar, has adversely affected travel demand. As Canadians represent the second-largest group of international visitors to San Diego, this downturn poses challenges for tourism in the region.
San Diego International Airport typically sees international travel accounting for about 10% of its overnight visitors. The slight reduction in passenger numbers recorded by Air Canada on its existing San Diego to Toronto services aligns closely with Porter Airlines’ decision to suspend its flights and reflects the overall trend of declining demand.
Despite losing the Toronto route, San Diego is pursuing opportunities for new international connections, having recently launched a nonstop flight to Amsterdam with KLM Royal Dutch Airlines. Additionally, a new service to Panama City with Copa Airlines is expected to bolster the airport’s international offerings.
This reduction in air service from Canadian carriers is indicative of broader shifts within the airline industry, emphasizing the need for adaptability in response to fluctuating travel demand. Porter Airlines’ exit from the San Diego market marks a significant change in the competitive landscape of cross-border travel, as it underscores the impact of external economic and political factors on airline operations.
In summary, with the cancellation of both the Toronto to San Diego route and the Montreal to Las Vegas service, Porter Airlines is realigning its focus in response to declining travel demand stemming from rising political tensions and tariff concerns. With Air Canada now the only operator on the San Diego-Toronto route, the future of international travel between Canada and the U.S. may continue to evolve as market dynamics shift.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- San Diego Union-Tribune
- Wikipedia: Air Canada
- Simple Flying
- Google Search: Porter Airlines
- Travel and Tour World
- Google Scholar: air travel Canada USA
- Airline Geeks
- Encyclopedia Britannica: air travel
- NBC San Diego
- Google News: San Diego international airport
Author: STAFF HERE SAN DIEGO WRITER
SAN DIEGO STAFF WRITER The SAN DIEGO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERESanDiego.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in San Diego, San Diego County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Comic-Con International, San Diego County Fair, and San Diego Pride Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce and United Way of San Diego County, plus leading businesses in biotechnology, healthcare, and technology that power the local economy such as Qualcomm, Illumina, and Scripps Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAnaheim.com, HEREBeverlyHills.com, HERECostaMesa.com, HERECoronado.com, HEREHollywood.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, HERELongBeach.com, HERELosAngeles.com, HEREMissionViejo.com, and HERESantaAna.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into California's dynamic landscape.
