Porter Airlines is introducing non-stop flights between Victoria and Ottawa starting May 15.
The service is expected to run through the summer, with four weekly round-trip flights.
Flights will leave Ottawa at 8:35 a.m. and arrive in Victoria at 10:55 a.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
Departures are scheduled for 11:50 a.m. from Victoria, arriving in Ottawa at 7:35 p.m.
Passengers will fly on a 132-seat Embraer E195-E2 aircraft with free WiFi, the company said in a statement Tuesday.
Porter already offers a daily round-trip flight between Victoria and Toronto, which is set to increase in May to 10 weekly round trips.
Andrew Pierce, Porter’s vice-president of network planning and reporting, said Ottawa “continues to be a growing market” for the company.
Paul Nursey, chief executive of Destination Greater Victoria, called the new Ottawa-Victoria service a “crucial addition” that will be a boon for conference delegates and those travelling for business.
Nursey said the service “strengthens our city’s position as a leading destination for meetings and events.”
Destination Greater Victoria said it hopes the airline will continue the route past the summer.
Between Oct. 21 to Oct. 24, more than 400 members of the Canadian Society of Association Executives are set to arrive in Victoria for the organization’s annual conference.
Each person attending represents potential conference opportunities in the future, Destination Greater Victoria said.
“The business-events sector is the foundation of a strong visitor economy,” said Miranda Ji, executive vice-president of sales and business development for Destination Greater Victoria.
“Our region’s ability to attract high-yield, off-peak season conferences not only sustains local businesses but also ensures a stable tourism model.”
