VIDEO: When airlines compete, passengers win

Air travellers can expect a one-way ticket to Toronto starting at close to $150 when Porter Airlines takes off in Kelowna starting next May.

They can also expect more from the carriers already flying between the two cities.

"This is the first time that Porter has ever operated at Kelowna International Airport," said a smiling Sam Samaddar.

The addition of Porter Airlines adds one more flight a day to Toronto, but the CEO at Kelowna International said it adds a lot more than that.

"It's all about choice," he said.

"With Air Canada which is flying there twice a day and Westjet once a day, Porter will bring it to three airlines that are flying that route," Samaddar explained.

"The pricing and the competition with other airlines flying that route, that gives the passenger the opportunity to shop around."

Will it bring down fares from all of the airlines?

Maybe.

"Competition has always been good in the marketplace," Samaddar said.

"We know the elasticity of pricing that the airlines have in the market where they don't have competition. This allows a better opportunity for the consumer to get a good deal."

Pricing aside, he said air travellers will like the planes.

Porter is using brand new 132-passenger Embraer jets for the route.

"Very, very comfortable and it has two-by-two seating, with a single aisle," Samaddar said.

"It's a narrow-body aircraft, but it's similar to being in an executive jet."

That means you never get a middle seat.

And he said they have a good reputation for their in-cabin service.

"They'll give you a beer, they'll give you wine, they'll give you snacks, so whatever you'd like."

Porter Airlines flights start in May with weekday flights five days a week increasing to 7 flights a week in June.

The Porter announcement comes at the end of what is expected to be the busiest year in the history of the Kelowna International Airport.