Porter Airlines $270.5 million LEEFF financing to restart operations

Industry: Transportation - Air

On June 30, Porter Airlines (“Porter”) secured up to $270.5 million in funding from the Canadian government through the Large Employer Emergency Financing Facility (LEEFF). The financing will allow Porter to restart operations and to support jobs in Canada’s airline sector. Porter has agreed to provide refunds for certain pandemic-related flight cancellations to eligible customers. An additional $20 million in financing will be provided to Porter for this purpose. The LEEFF program provides loans to major employers outside of private market financing arrangements and is available to all for-profit organizations who have a significant impact on the Canadian economy.

Norton Rose Fulbright Canada LLP advised Porter with a team that was co-led by
Troy Ungerman,
Matthew Lippa,
and which included
Russell Dufault,
Craig Hickey.

Torys LLP acted for the Canadian government represented by the Canada Enterprise Emergency Funding Corporation with a team led by
Amanda Balasubramanian,
and which included
Adrienne Love,
Tyrel Henderson,
Megan Funke. 

Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP acted for Export Development Canada, Porter’s existing senior creditor with a team including
Jason MacIntyre,
Christopher Wong.