Article content

Just hours after Porter Airlines announced it wants to start flying jets into Toronto’s island airport by 2016, the battle lines at city hall had already been drawn.

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

tap here to see other videos from our team. Try refreshing your browser, or Toronto council gears up for battle over Porter proposal to lift jet ban, expand runway at island airport Back to video

On one side are members of Mayor Ford’s administration who support Porter Airlines in its $2.29-billion plan to purchase as many as 30 Bombardier CSeries planes that would allow the carrier to fly to more far-flung destinations, such as Calgary and California.

On the other side are those who vehemently object to jets and the runway extension that would need to be built to accommodate them.

To alter the runway — adding 168 metres on each end — the city, the federal government and the Toronto Port Authority would need to revisit a tripartite agreement that currently bans jet aircraft on the island. In a statement, the port authority said it will not consider any changes until after city council deals with the matter.

Mayor Rob Ford, who took his trade mission to Chicago on Porter last year, was asked about the issue on Tuesday before the announcement and said he supports the airline and would look at its request.