We’ve been saying for years wouldn’t it be great if Porter came to Muskoka, and according to the news from the Muskoka To-Daily we’re one step closer than we were before!

Muskoka Commercial Flights

If you’ve been to the Muskoka airport (YQA) lately you know that their is a new 6000 ft runway to accommodate the ever-expanding line up of private jets (if you want to dream it’s seriously worth the drive on a Friday in July!)

Muskoka Airport

So the District of Muskoka and their tourism organization — Explorer’s Edge — hired a consultant last month to do the study last fall with the idea of having an airline in place in time for Canada’s 150th birthday in 2017. Each ponied up 20k towards the study.

Canada 150th birthday 2017

Recent news says the most logical start was a quasi pilot project to fly in resort guests as part of a package, which makes total sense as it benefits tourism right across the board.  While Porter is certainly not guaranteed the only airline in town, it seems to be a logical pairing, particularly because of their existing routing and a local Lake Rosseau connection.

Porter Airlines Muskoka

That being said there are some serious upgrades needed. “We have a wonderful main runway, but it is a crosswind runway, i.e. it runs across the prevailing wind. Therefore, the functionality of the airport is seriously hampered because we do not have an upgraded east-west runway aligned with that prevailing wind. More lands need to be acquired. Our terminal facilities need to be upgraded.” Read more about those here.

Kudos to at least starting the discussion.  As they say dream big and a commuter route a la EWR-YQA could be in Muskoka’s future!

#fingerscrossed