Porter Airlines going public

The Toronto-based parent of Porter Airlines announced plans Friday to list itself as a publicly traded company.

Porter Aviation Holdings Inc. has filed a preliminary prospectus a business plan with securities commissions across the country, a requirement before it can offer shares.

The company's release did not say when the share offering is planned or how much money it plans to raise.

It may use the proceeds to buy more aircraft. Its current fleet includes 18 planes, with two more deliveries due this month.

Porter Airlines is one of the fastest-growing airlines in Canada. Based at Toronto Island airport, itstarted in 2006 with two aircraft and has expanded to serveOttawa, Montreal, Quebec City, Halifax, St. John's, Thunder Bay, Sudbury, New York, Chicago, and Boston. It has announced itwill add Moncton, N.B.,on June 25.

The share offering is being led by RBC Capital Markets Inc.