Porter Airlines Chairman Don Carty inducted to Canada’s Aviation Hall of Fame

OTTAWA, Ontario--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Donald (Don) Carty’s storied aviation career was recognized with his induction into Canada’s Aviation Hall of Fame (CAHF) during a formal ceremony held at Porter Airlines’ aircraft maintenance facilities at Ottawa International Airport on Sept. 17.

As Porter’s founding and continuing Chairman of the Board, Carty has been instrumental in overseeing the company’s rise over two decades to an award-winning North American airline known for its distinctive, passenger-friendly service model.

For more than fifty years, CAHF has celebrated the vision and courage of those who have helped shape aviation in Canada. Induction into the Hall is the highest honour in Canadian aviation. It recognizes a lifetime of achievement and a legacy that continues to inspire.

Carty’s industry experience extends to the global stage, most notably as past Chairman and CEO of AMR Corporation and American Airlines, the world’s largest airline during his tenure. He has also served prominently as President and CEO of CP Air, later rebranded to Canadian Pacific Air Lines, Chairman of Virgin America, and a Board Member of Hawaiian Airlines.

“This recognition by Canada’s Aviation Hall of Fame is a genuine career highlight,” said Carty. “Every stop in my journey has been unique, with each airline having its own influence on the industry. My time with Porter continues to be among the most enjoyable things that I’ve done. It’s a shining example of having a vision that no one else did and then working incredibly hard to see it through to reality against long odds in the eyes of many people. I’m extremely proud of what we’ve accomplished to date in redefining the way Canadians fly today.

“During my 20-plus years at American, I witnessed transformative industry shifts – from deregulation and open skies policies, to launching the world's first major airline loyalty program. CP Air and Canadian helped to form the foundation of competitive air service in the country that exists in different forms today. And Virgin America and Hawaiian demonstrated exceptional service innovations and operational standards that made everyone get better. Aviation is a remarkable business and it continues to be as dynamic as ever.”

Robert Deluce, Porter’s founder, Executive Chairman and 2017 CAHF inductee, recalled Carty’s influence during the airline’s early years: “Don was vital to stress testing our business plan and lending the highest degree of credibility to our efforts. This was particularly meaningful with investors, who valued Don’s global perspective. The fact that Don continues to lead our Board of Directors and that all of our initial investors remain with the company today speaks volumes about his influence. He remains among the most influential leaders in the history of our industry.”

Michael Deluce, Porter’s current CEO and a founding executive member emphasized the intangible influence that Carty offered: “We were attempting to do something unique at the time by revitalizing Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport and making it a real alternative to what was previously in the market. This wasn’t a straightforward process and we had to consistently find creative ways of achieving our objectives. Don was always available to offer advice and support whenever it was needed. It’s something that I continue to value with our relationship today.”

Porter also acknowledges other inductees in the 2026 CAHF class:

Robert Banks – Honoured for his pioneering contributions to human factors research in aviation, including decades of work on flight surgeon training and studies of physiological stresses in flight.

Ken Molson – Celebrated for his role in preserving Canada’s aviation history through his foundational work as the first curator of the National Aviation Museum, his archival initiatives, and his dedication to capturing and sharing Canada’s aviation heritage.

Michael Potter – Acknowledged for his passion and dedication in showcasing aviation excellence through the founding of the Vintage Wings of Canada Foundation, the creation of VinTech Aero Inc. for the restoration and repair of historic “warbird” aircraft, and offering Canadians hands-on experiences that connect them with aviation’s past and its inspiring legacy.

The Belt of Orion Award for Excellence was also presented to the Air Transport Association of Canada (ATAC), which has been the national voice for commercial aviation for generations. Established in 1934, ATAC has supported the growth, competitiveness, and safety of Canada’s air transport sector for more than ninety years.

About Porter

Since 2006, Porter Airlines has been elevating the experience of economy air travel for every passenger, providing genuine hospitality with style, care and charm. Porter’s fleet of Embraer E195-E2 and De Havilland Dash 8-400 aircraft serves North America, including a coast-to-coast domestic Canadian network, the U.S., Mexico, the Caribbean and Central America. Headquartered in Toronto, Porter is an Official 4 Star Airline® in the World Airline Star Rating®. Visit www.flyporter.com or follow @porterairlines on Instagram, Facebook and X.