Porter Averts Strike, Secures Pact with Critical Flight Dispatchers

TORONTO, ON – January 16, 2026 – Porter Airlines has successfully averted a potentially crippling work stoppage, reaching a tentative collective agreement with its flight dispatchers. The deal, announced jointly with the Canadian Airline Dispatchers Association (CALDA), brings an end to over a year of tense negotiations and provides crucial operational stability as the airline embarks on its most ambitious expansion to date.

The agreement, which is the first-ever for Porter's dispatchers, will now be put to a ratification vote by union members in the coming days. Both parties credited the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service for its assistance in finalizing the pact.

“We’re very pleased to have come to a resolution with CALDA,” said Kent Woodside, executive vice president and chief operating officer at Porter Airlines, in a statement. “Flight dispatchers are an important part of our team. They perform crucial duties and we want them to continue doing so with a contract in place.”

A Path Paved with Tension

While the joint announcement struck a conciliatory tone, the path to this agreement was far from smooth. The deal was forged just days before a potential strike deadline of January 20, following a protracted 14-month negotiation period.

Tensions had escalated significantly in recent weeks. On December 10, Porter's flight dispatchers, who unionized with CALDA in August 2024, voted 100% in favour of strike action. At the time, the union cited a "lack of respect" in the workplace and the need for a contract that formally recognized their critical role in aviation safety. The unanimous strike mandate sent a clear signal of the workforce's resolve and raised the stakes for the rapidly growing carrier. The involvement of federal mediators underscores the difficulty the two sides had in bridging their differences independently.

Mark Yezovich, national president of CALDA, acknowledged the breakthrough, stating, “This agreement reflects meaningful progress and a shared commitment to moving forward in a productive and respectful manner. CALDA looks forward to continuing to work with Porter Airlines in the years ahead.”

Clearing the Runway for Aggressive Growth

For Porter Airlines, securing this agreement is more than just a labor relations victory; it is a strategic imperative. The airline is in the midst of a transformative expansion, aiming to disrupt the North American market by challenging legacy carriers. A strike by its dispatchers would have grounded its entire operation, jeopardizing its growth trajectory and damaging its brand reputation.

The airline's strategy hinges on a massive fleet expansion, with plans to operate as many as 100 Embraer E195-E2 jets. It is already the world's largest operator of the model, with 48 in its fleet. This new aircraft has enabled a dramatic network expansion, with Porter adding 20 new routes in the past year alone, stretching its network from coast-to-coast in Canada and into the U.S., Mexico, and the Caribbean.

With 87 routes to 45 destinations and further growth planned for 2025, the airline cannot afford the operational uncertainty of a labor dispute. The stability provided by the new dispatcher agreement is essential to maintaining flight schedules, managing complex logistics, and delivering on its promise of "elevating the experience of economy air travel." The deal ensures that the vital, behind-the-scenes work of flight planning and operational control can continue uninterrupted as thousands of new passengers take to the skies with Porter.

The Unsung Guardians of Air Safety

The agreement also shines a spotlight on one of the most critical but least understood professions in aviation. Flight dispatchers are not simply administrative planners; they are federally licensed professionals who share co-authority with the Pilot-In-Command for the safety of every flight.

Represented by CALDA at seven of Canada's major airlines, these operational control specialists are responsible for analyzing weather patterns, calculating fuel requirements, planning flight paths, and monitoring a flight's progress from gate to gate. They are the pilots' partners on the ground, providing real-time information and support to navigate challenges like turbulence, airport congestion, or mechanical issues. Their work is legally mandated and indispensable for ensuring the safety and efficiency of modern air travel.

The union's push for a first contract was driven by a desire for this role to be formally recognized and compensated in a way that reflects its high-stakes responsibilities. The tentative agreement represents a significant step in achieving that goal within Porter, which has historically operated as Canada's largest non-union airline but is now navigating a new era of collective bargaining with multiple employee groups.

A Turbulent Labor Landscape

The Porter-CALDA deal provides a moment of calm in what has been a turbulent period for labor relations in the Canadian airline industry. Across the sector, numerous long-term contracts signed a decade ago have expired, unleashing a wave of high-stakes negotiations.

Just last summer, a strike by Air Canada's flight attendants, represented by CUPE, grounded hundreds of flights before federal intervention. While a tentative deal was reached, its wage component was later rejected by members, sending the parties back to the negotiating table. WestJet's flight attendants are currently in negotiations with "unpaid work" as a central issue, and its mechanics engaged in strike action in 2024. More successfully, Air Transat pilots narrowly averted a holiday strike in December, ratifying a new contract this month with significant wage increases.

Porter itself is at a turning point. Its pilots unionized with the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) in August 2025 and have also begun their first collective bargaining talks. This agreement with its dispatchers may serve as a positive precedent as the airline continues to negotiate with its newly organized labor groups. While the deal with CALDA offers a blueprint for constructive resolution, the broader Canadian aviation industry remains a complex environment of competing pressures, with employees seeking substantial gains and airlines striving to manage costs amidst fierce competition.