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Robert Deluce

Robert J. Deluce (born April 9, 1950) is a Canadian aviation executive renowned for founding Porter Airlines in 2006 and steering its expansion as a premium regional carrier based at Toronto's Billy Bishop City Centre Airport.^[1] Born in Chapleau, Ontario, to a family with deep aviation roots, Deluce obtained his private pilot's licence at age 17 and commercial licence at 18, later earning a Bachelor of Science from McGill University in 1971 before joining the family-run White River Air Services full-time.^[1]^[1] His early career included roles as vice president and general manager of Austin Airways in the 1980s, building expertise in regional airline operations, financing, and restructuring across northern Ontario carriers.^[1]^[2] Deluce launched Porter Airlines with two aircraft serving the Ottawa-Toronto route and 20 employees, methodically scaling it to 26 Bombardier Q400 turboprops, 19 destinations, and over 1,400 staff by emphasizing efficient short-haul service and customer experience.^[2]^[1] The airline achieved a 4-Star rating from SKYTRAX and was named the world's best small airline by Condé Nast Traveler's Readers' Choice Awards in 2013 under his presidency and CEO tenure.^[2] In recognition of his contributions to Canadian regional aviation, Deluce was inducted into Canada's Aviation Hall of Fame in 2017 and received an honorary Doctor of Laws from Ontario Tech University in 2014.^[1]^[2] He stepped down as CEO in 2019, assuming the role of executive chairman while his son Michael Deluce took over daily leadership, continuing to shape the company's strategic direction.^[3]^[4]

Early Life and Education

Family Background and Upbringing

Robert Deluce was born on April 9, 1950, in Chapleau, Ontario, to Stanley Matthew Deluce (1923–2010) and Angela Deluce.^[1] His father, a Royal Canadian Air Force pilot during World War II who flew Hurricanes, returned to northern Ontario after the war and co-founded White River Air Services in 1951 with his wife, establishing a charter operation focused on hunting and fishing expeditions.^[5]^[6]^[7] As the second-oldest of nine children in a family with longstanding aviation ties, Deluce grew up in White River, Ontario, a remote logging and rail community where the parental business provided early exposure to aircraft operations and entrepreneurial demands.^[8]^[9] Stanley Deluce's career as a commercial pilot spanning over 40 years further embedded aviation within the household, shaping Deluce's foundational interests amid the challenges of northern rural life.^[10]^[11]

Education and Initial Aviation Involvement

Deluce attended St. Michael's College School in Toronto beginning in 1964, where he began taking flying lessons at the Toronto Island Airport, now known as Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport.^[1] Born on April 9, 1950, in Chapleau, Ontario, to parents deeply embedded in the aviation sector, he obtained his private pilot's licence on his 17th birthday in 1967 and his commercial pilot's licence the following year in 1968.^[1] That same year, he piloted a Cessna aircraft from Wichita, Kansas, to Toronto, marking an early demonstration of his flying proficiency.^[1] His family's White River Air Services, founded by his parents Stanley—a Royal Canadian Air Force veteran who became a commercial pilot after World War II—and Angela in 1951 or 1952, provided hands-on immersion in aviation from childhood.^[1]^[12] Deluce performed tasks such as pumping floats, loading freight, and servicing aircraft including Cessna 180/185s, de Havilland Beavers, and Otters at bases across Northern Ontario, including White River, Chapleau, Kapuskasing, Wawa, Hornepayne, and Sault Ste. Marie.^[1]^[12] This charter operation, focused on hunting and fishing clientele, instilled practical knowledge of bush flying and regional logistics.^[12] Deluce pursued higher education at McGill University, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in 1971 after three years of study, which he later described as a pivotal experience broadening his perspectives.^[6] By graduation, his established piloting credentials and familial ties positioned him to commit fully to aviation, initially as a commercial pilot for the family business in the late 1960s and early 1970s, transporting passengers and cargo in remote areas before broader industry roles.^[6]^[1]

Professional Career in Aviation

Early Business Ventures and Regional Airlines

Deluce began his aviation career in the family-owned White River Air Services, founded by his parents Stanley and Angela Deluce in 1951 as a charter operation serving hunters and fishermen in northern Ontario.^[1] Incorporated in 1952, the company operated from bases including White River, Chapleau, and Sault Ste. Marie, utilizing aircraft such as de Havilland Beavers, Otters, and Cessna 180/185 models for remote transport.^[12] As a teenager, Deluce earned his private pilot's licence on April 9, 1967, and commercial licence in 1968, performing maintenance tasks like pumping floats and piloting flights for tourists and prospectors in the late 1960s and 1970s.^[1] After graduating with a Bachelor of Science from McGill University in 1971, he joined the business full-time and proposed the norOntair regional service for the Ontario government, utilizing Twin Otter aircraft to connect remote communities.^[1]^[6] In 1974, the Deluce family expanded by acquiring Austin Airways, which they merged with White River Air Services, securing federal contracts and growing the combined fleet to 55 aircraft at its peak.^[12] Deluce served as vice president and general manager of Austin Airways in the early 1980s, overseeing operations in aircraft sales, maintenance, and engineering while the family pursued further acquisitions, including Sault Airways, Kapuskasing Flying Service, Air Manitoba, Ontario Central Airlines, Superior Airways, and Air Creebec.^[1]^[5] These ventures formed a network of regional carriers focused on northern and underserved routes in Ontario, Manitoba, and Quebec, building on the family's nearly five decades of operations in the sector.^[12] A pivotal expansion occurred in 1982 when the Deluce family acquired a 50 percent stake in Air Ontario, transforming it into Canada's largest regional airline by the mid-1980s with service extending to remote areas like Baffin Island and Greenland.^[7] In 1987, following amalgamation of operations, the family sold 75 percent of their equity in Air Ontario to Air Canada while acquiring a stake in Air Alliance, another regional carrier.^[5]^[7] Deluce managed these holdings through Deluce Investments Inc., which coordinated development and growth across the portfolio, including Air Manitoba—where he became president and CEO in 1996—and Air Creebec.^[1] These early efforts emphasized practical regional connectivity, leveraging family expertise in bush flying and charters to establish scalable operations amid competitive pressures from larger national carriers.^[1] By the mid-1990s, Deluce had divested key stakes, such as the remaining Air Ontario shares in 1993, positioning the family for diversified investments while retaining influence in regional aviation.^[7]

Founding and Initial Development of Porter Airlines

Robert Deluce founded Porter Airlines in 2006, drawing on his prior experience in regional aviation ventures such as Air Ontario and Air Creebec, to establish a short-haul carrier operating primarily from Toronto's Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (YTZ). The initiative capitalized on the underutilized capacity of the downtown airport, which had been hampered by limited service from incumbents like Air Canada. Deluce's vision emphasized efficient turboprop operations, premium onboard service including complimentary meals and lounge access, and a focus on business travelers in Eastern Canada, differentiating from low-cost competitors.^[13]^[1] In February 2006, Deluce announced the formation of Porter Airlines after securing approximately $125.7 million in initial equity financing from private investors, including EdgeStone Capital Partners, the Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement System (OMERS) via its Borealis Infrastructure arm, and Regco Capital Corp., a firm he led. This capital enabled the placement of an order for Bombardier Q400 turboprop aircraft, selected for their suitability to short regional routes under 90 minutes, offering speeds comparable to jets while adhering to the airport's noise and runway restrictions that prohibited larger jet operations. The funding round also attracted high-profile involvement, such as former AMR Corp. CEO Donald Carty serving as chairman.^[13]^[14]^[1] Commercial operations launched on October 12, 2006, with the inaugural flight from YTZ to Ottawa, followed shortly by service to Montreal and other nearby destinations in Ontario and Quebec. Initial fleet deployment was modest, starting with a handful of leased Q400s before transitioning to owned aircraft, allowing for quick ramp-up to multiple daily frequencies on core routes. Early growth was supported by strategic leasing of terminal space at YTZ after the termination of Air Canada's short-term agreement, enabling Porter to control key infrastructure and invest in amenities like a dedicated lounge. By 2007, the airline had expanded to serve additional markets while maintaining high load factors through demand-driven scheduling and avoidance of hub-and-spoke models.^[1]^[12]^[7] Initial development faced hurdles, including regulatory scrutiny over airport access under the existing tripartite agreement among the City of Toronto, the federal government, and the airport operator, which capped flights and barred jets. Deluce navigated these by advocating for measured expansions and leveraging the airline's clean operational record to build stakeholder support. The focus on customer experience—such as free Wi-Fi trials and polished uniforms—helped achieve profitability within the first year, with reported financing providing a buffer against industry volatility. This phase laid the groundwork for Porter's niche as a civilized alternative to major carriers, growing passenger volumes from under 100,000 in 2006 to millions annually by the early 2010s.^[13]^[15]

Leadership and Expansion at Porter Airlines

Growth Strategies and Operational Innovations

Under Robert Deluce's leadership as founding president and CEO, Porter Airlines pursued a growth strategy centered on leveraging the underutilized Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport for short-haul regional flights, targeting business travelers with a premium service model using De Havilland Dash 8-400 turboprops. Launched in 2006 with an initial investment of $125 million, the airline rapidly expanded its route network to 15 Canadian and eight U.S. destinations, emphasizing frequent service between eastern Canadian cities and select American markets like New York and Boston.^[16]^[1] A key expansion initiative involved transitioning to jet operations to extend reach westward and southward, culminating in a 2021 order for 50 Embraer E195-E2 aircraft (with options for 50 more), valued at approximately US$7.4 billion. The first E195-E2 deliveries arrived in December 2022, enabling inaugural jet service on February 1, 2023, from Toronto to Montreal, Ottawa, Vancouver, Edmonton, and Calgary, followed by U.S. routes to cities such as Las Vegas and Los Angeles.^[17]^[18] This fleet modernization supported network growth to 23 Canadian and 16 U.S. destinations by 2025, including plans for a new Montreal Saint-Hubert hub terminal by late 2024 to handle four million passengers annually and potential extensions to Mexico and the Caribbean.^[17]^[18] Operationally, Deluce emphasized a "Flying Refined" philosophy that differentiated Porter through enhanced passenger comfort without low-cost carrier compromises, including 34 inches of seat pitch—exceeding competitors by 2-3 inches—complimentary in-flight snacks, beverages (including wine and beer), and lounge access for all passengers.^[19] This model, implemented from inception, featured elegant crew uniforms with retro elements like pillbox hats and empowered staff for on-the-spot customer recovery during disruptions, contributing to a four-star Skytrax rating as one of only two North American carriers achieving that status.^[19] Innovations extended to infrastructure, such as planned Ottawa maintenance hangars (150,000 square feet, operational by April 2024) and U.S. Customs preclearance at Billy Bishop by 2025, prioritizing efficiency and reliability with fuel-efficient E195-E2 jets configured in tiers like PorterReserve (36-inch pitch) for premium demand.^[17]^[18]

Key Challenges and Competitive Dynamics

Porter Airlines, under Robert Deluce's leadership, has navigated intense competition from larger incumbents like Air Canada and WestJet, which possess extensive route networks, greater financial resources, and economies of scale that enable aggressive pricing and market dominance.^[17] Porter's niche focus on premium regional service from convenient city-center airports, particularly Toronto's Billy Bishop City Centre Airport (YTZ), has allowed differentiation through superior customer experience rather than low fares, but this model remains vulnerable to incumbents' capacity to undercut routes or encroach on Porter's core hubs.^[20] ^[21] A pivotal competitive dynamic emerged in October 2025 when Air Canada announced plans to launch four U.S. routes—New York (LaGuardia), Chicago (O'Hare), Boston (Logan), and Washington (Dulles)—from Billy Bishop starting in spring 2026, directly challenging Porter's established dominance at the airport on three overlapping routes.^[22] This move intensifies rivalry at Porter's headquarters and primary operational base, where the airline has historically benefited from limited jet access and a prop-only restriction that favored its turboprop fleet.^[23] Air Canada's expansion leverages its broader transborder network from Toronto Pearson but signals a strategic bid to capture Billy Bishop's business travelers, potentially eroding Porter's market share in short-haul U.S. services that accounted for a significant portion of its traffic.^[24] Regulatory and infrastructural constraints at Billy Bishop exacerbate these competitive pressures, including a 2024 city staff recommendation against extending the airport's lease—opposed by Porter—and ongoing debates over noise, jet bans, and runway extensions that limit fleet modernization and capacity growth.^[25] Deluce's push for Airbus A220 jets, initially denied in 2017 due to the airport's no-jet policy, highlights persistent hurdles in scaling operations amid political opposition from downtown Toronto stakeholders concerned about urban impacts.^[18] Meanwhile, ultra-low-cost carriers (ULCCs) like Flair Airlines add downward pressure on fares, forcing Porter to balance expansion into longer-haul routes—such as cross-country services—without diluting its service-oriented brand or engaging in unsustainable price wars.^[17]^[26] To counter these dynamics, Porter has emphasized operational innovations like free premium snacks and alcohol on all flights since 2025, prompting Air Canada to match the policy on select routes, underscoring Porter's influence in elevating industry standards despite its smaller scale.^[27] However, sustaining growth requires vigilant management of load factors, fleet efficiency with Embraer E195-E2 jets, and potential alliances, as unchecked expansion risks overcapacity in a consolidated Canadian market where Air Canada holds approximately 60% share.^[28]

Controversies and Legal Matters

Disputes Over Airport Infrastructure and Expansion

In April 2013, Porter Airlines, led by president and CEO Robert Deluce, proposed extending the runway at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport by 150 meters to accommodate jet aircraft, including up to 30 Bombardier CS100 jets, as part of a strategy to expand long-haul routes and fleet capacity.^[29]^[30] The initiative required amendments to a 1990s tripartite agreement among federal, provincial, and municipal governments that explicitly banned jet operations and restricted runway modifications at the downtown waterfront facility to mitigate noise and environmental impacts.^[31] Deluce argued the expansion would enhance competition and affordability without disproportionate disruption, citing quieter jet technology and economic benefits for the region.^[5] The proposal sparked widespread opposition from waterfront residents, community groups such as NoJetsTO, and rival carriers including Air Canada and WestJet, who raised concerns over increased noise pollution, air quality degradation, heightened traffic congestion, and safety risks near densely populated areas.^[32]^[33] Competitors contended that lifting the jet ban would confer an undue competitive edge to Porter by leveraging the airport's proximity to downtown Toronto, potentially subsidizing expansion through public infrastructure while disadvantaging larger carriers reliant on Pearson International Airport.^[31] Deluce countered that critics were disseminating "untruths and misinformation" and harbored intentions to shutter the airport entirely rather than negotiate balanced growth.^[34] Toronto City Council narrowly approved the runway extension and jet allowance in April 2015 following public consultations and environmental reviews, but the federal Liberal government under Transport Minister Marc Garneau rejected the changes in November 2015, upholding the existing jet prohibition to prioritize community livability and the original agreement's constraints.^[35]^[36] PortsToronto subsequently halted all related preparatory work, effectively ending the expansion bid, though Porter retained a conditional order for CSeries jets in anticipation of potential future policy shifts.^[37] The dispute underscored longstanding tensions over the airport's role in urban development, with Deluce's persistence highlighting Porter's dependence on Billy Bishop for its regional turboprop model amid broader aviation market pressures.^[32]

Litigation with Air Canada

In July 2010, Robert Deluce, as president and CEO of Porter Airlines, personally filed a statement of claim against Air Canada in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, seeking C$5 million in damages plus the restoration of complimentary lifetime first-class travel passes for himself and his wife.^[38]^[39] Deluce alleged that Air Canada had granted the passes as part of agreements tied to the 1980s sale of regional carriers Air Ontario and Austin Airways, in which his family held interests, but later revoked them in breach of contract.^[39] He contended the revocation was a retaliatory measure amid escalating competition from Porter Airlines at Toronto's Billy Bishop City Airport, where Air Canada sought to limit Porter's growth.^[38] Air Canada disputed the claims, asserting no enforceable lifetime passes existed and that any prior perks had lapsed with Deluce's departure from its regional operations. The airline framed the suit as unrelated to business competition, though Deluce maintained it exemplified Air Canada's pattern of aggressive tactics against Porter. No public resolution or judgment outcome for this specific claim has been reported, though Deluce referenced ongoing enforcement of the underlying contract in subsequent interviews.^[40] This personal action reflected broader adversarial litigation between Porter Airlines, under Deluce's direction, and Air Canada over airport access and infrastructure. Air Canada repeatedly challenged landing slot allocations at Billy Bishop Airport that disproportionately favored Porter, arguing violations of federal aviation policy and tripartite agreements with the City of Toronto and Toronto Port Authority. In December 2011, the Federal Court of Appeal dismissed Air Canada's appeal, upholding the slots and affirming Porter's operational advantages, with Deluce stating the ruling rejected Air Canada's attempts to undermine competition.^[41]^[42] Earlier, in 2007, Porter sought a court order to restructure Air Canada's regional affiliate Jazz Air, citing antitrust concerns over integrated operations that disadvantaged competitors like Porter.^[43] These disputes trace to Deluce's prior business ties with Air Canada, including a 1992 Ontario court case where Deluce Holdings Inc. alleged oppressive conduct by Air Canada in terminating employment to trigger a low-value buyout of minority shares in Air Ontario under a shareholder agreement. The court found a prima facie case for oppression, enabling interim relief, though the full resolution involved arbitration clauses limiting further judicial review.^[44] Such historical frictions underscored ongoing competitive hostilities, with Air Canada viewing Porter's niche focus on short-haul, underserved routes as encroaching on its dominance, while Deluce positioned Porter as a disruptive innovator enhancing consumer choice.^[45]

Recent Tax and Financial Disputes

In 2010, Robert Deluce filed a lawsuit against Air Canada, seeking up to C$5 million in damages for the alleged breach of a 1986 agreement providing lifetime free travel passes for him and his wife. The passes were purportedly granted as part of the Deluce family's sale of Air Ontario and Austin Airways to Air Canada, but Deluce claimed Air Canada unilaterally revoked them amid competitive tensions with Porter Airlines.^[39]^[38] The suit accused Air Canada of using the revocation as a tactical measure against Porter, though no public resolution or final judgment details are widely reported.^[46] No recent personal tax disputes involving Deluce have been publicly documented. His son and Porter Airlines CEO, Michael Deluce, has engaged in ongoing litigation with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) over the classification of US$5.8 million in high-risk day trading losses incurred in March 2020 during COVID-19 market volatility. Michael Deluce argued the losses qualified as business expenses deductible against income, generating over $800,000 in retroactive refunds for 2017–2019, but the CRA reclassified them as capital losses, limited to 50% deductibility against capital gains only, resulting in a reassessment demanding over $900,000 plus interest.^[47] This personal matter for Michael Deluce remains unresolved as of 2025 and is unrelated to Porter Airlines operations or Robert Deluce directly.^[47]

Awards, Recognition, and Legacy

Professional Honors

Deluce received the CEO Award of Excellence from the Canadian Public Relations Society in 2010 for his leadership in communications and public relations at Porter Airlines.^[1]^[48] In 2012, he was named Canada's Marketer of the Year by the Canadian Marketing Association, recognizing his innovative branding and customer-focused strategies that differentiated Porter Airlines in a competitive market.^[1]^[49] Deluce was awarded an honorary Doctor of Science by McGill University in 2013, honoring his entrepreneurial impact on Canadian aviation, and named an Honorary Life Member by the Air Transport Association of Canada that same year for his service on its board.^[1] In 2014, he received the Entrepreneur of the Year Award from the Canadian Venture Capital & Private Equity Association (CVCA) for establishing Porter Airlines and fostering competition in scheduled air services.^[50] He also earned an honorary Doctor of Laws from Ontario Tech University (then UOIT) for his contributions to airline ownership and operations.^[2]^[51] Deluce was inducted into Canada's Aviation Hall of Fame in 2017, acknowledging his development of regional carriers and expansion of Porter Airlines' services from Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport.^[1]^[52] In 2022, he was inducted into the Canadian Travel Hall of Fame for founding Porter Airlines and shaping Canada's travel industry.^[53]^[54]

Family Succession and Long-Term Impact

In April 2019, Robert Deluce transitioned from President and CEO to Executive Chairman of Porter Airlines, with his son Michael Deluce succeeding him as President and CEO, marking a deliberate family-led handover to ensure strategic continuity.^[55] Michael, who had served as Chief Commercial Officer since the airline's early years, brought prior experience in commercial operations to the role, while Robert retained oversight on regulatory matters with Transport Canada.^[55] This second-generation leadership shift built on the Deluce family's multi-decade involvement in Canadian aviation, originating with Robert's father, Stanley Deluce, and extending to Robert's other son, Jason Deluce, who holds a senior role in information technology at the company.^[1] Under Michael's stewardship, Porter Airlines accelerated expansion, ordering 50 Embraer E195-E2 jets by 2024—with 17 delivered by September 2023—and projecting staff growth from 1,500 pre-pandemic levels to 8,000 employees, alongside revenue targets of $4 billion by 2028.^[55] The family-controlled entity, with Regco Capital as a key shareholder, emphasized differentiation through premium regional service, including no middle seats, free Wi-Fi, and investments like a $200 million terminal at Montreal's Saint-Hubert Airport set for 2025 opening.^[55] This approach sustained Robert's foundational focus on customer-centric operations amid post-COVID transcontinental shifts, avoiding aggressive price competition with larger carriers.^[55] Robert Deluce's long-term impact lies in establishing Porter as a viable alternative to dominant airlines, launching in 2006 with two aircraft and scaling to 26 Q400 turboprops serving 23 destinations by 2016, while revitalizing Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport through innovative terminal development and regional connectivity.^[1] His persistence in navigating regulatory hurdles fostered a niche for efficient, service-oriented short-haul flights, influencing competitive dynamics in Eastern Canada and contributing to the Deluce family's third-generation aviation legacy.^[1] This model has endured, positioning Porter for broader North American reach without diluting its core emphasis on operational reliability and employee-driven service standards.^[55]

Personal Life

Family and Personal Interests

Deluce was born on April 9, 1950, in Chapleau, Ontario, as the second-oldest of nine children born to Stanley Matthew Deluce (1923–2010), a World War II fighter pilot and aviation pioneer, and Angela Deluce.^[8]^[56] The family relocated to White River, Ontario, where his parents established White River Air Services in 1951 as a bush plane charter operation for hunting and fishing, with all nine children eventually contributing to the business in various capacities, including as pilots and administrators.^[56]^[7] He has been married to Catherine Deluce since the mid-1970s; she founded and chairs Chestnut Park Real Estate, a luxury brokerage established in 1990.^[5] The couple has four adult children—three sons and one daughter—and relocated from northern Ontario to Toronto in 1987, where they own a neo-Georgian residence in the Rosedale neighborhood, constructed in 1907.^[5] Deluce's personal interests include maintaining a cottage in Ontario's Muskoka region, a popular area for seasonal recreation and tourism, which aligns with his family's historical ties to northern outdoor activities like hunting and fishing through their air charter operations.^[57]^[56] His upbringing in remote northern communities fostered a foundational affinity for aviation, which persisted as a personal pursuit beyond professional endeavors.^[58]

Risk-Taking and Entrepreneurial Traits

Robert Deluce demonstrated entrepreneurial tenacity by founding Porter Airlines in February 2006, launching regional flights from Toronto's Billy Bishop City Airport despite regulatory hurdles and skepticism from established carriers like Air Canada and WestJet, which dominated Canada's aviation market.^[59] The airport's short runway and noise restrictions initially precluded jet operations, requiring Deluce to bet on efficient turboprop aircraft like the Bombardier Q400 to serve short-haul routes for time-sensitive business travelers avoiding the congestion at Toronto Pearson International Airport.^[5] This niche strategy capitalized on underserved demand but involved significant upfront capital risk, as Porter started with limited routes and faced immediate competitive retaliation, including Air Canada's lawsuit alleging unfair advantages from airport access agreements.^[60] Deluce's risk tolerance extended to aggressive expansion and infrastructure control; in one early maneuver, he acquired the terminal operator at Billy Bishop, enabling him to prioritize Porter's operations and evict competitors, a bold consolidation play that solidified market positioning amid growth from 9 aircraft in 2006 to over 20 by 2010.^[61] His pursuit of jet service introduction by 2013—proposing quieter models to amend the airport's tripartite agreement—highlighted calculated defiance against public and environmental opposition, positioning Porter for national scale but inviting legal and reputational battles that tested financial resilience during economic downturns.^[5] Deluce's cancellation of a planned initial public offering in 2010 amid volatile markets further exemplified pragmatic risk management, preserving private control to navigate uncertainties without diluting ownership.^[7] Entrepreneurially, Deluce's traits include a family-influenced aviation acumen—honed from childhood involvement in his father's Northern Ontario fuel and flight operations—and a negotiation prowess learned from early jobs, such as pumping gas, where he discerned that "almost everything is negotiable."^[62]^[58] This informed his lobbying for policy changes and investor cultivation, growing Porter into Canada's third-largest scheduled airline by passenger volume in central Canada by the mid-2010s, serving 19 markets.^[9] His vision emphasized premium service—free checked bags, complimentary meals—contrasting low-cost models, reflecting a first-mover conviction in customer loyalty over volume discounting, even as it demanded precise cost controls in a capital-intensive industry.^[63] Personally, Deluce's foray into high-risk day trading in the early 2000s, resulting in multimillion-dollar losses, underscores a speculative streak that parallels business gambles, though it later sparked tax litigation with the Canada Revenue Agency over deductions.^[64] These elements collectively fueled Porter's ascent from startup to disruptor, embodying Deluce's hallmark relentlessness and adaptability.^[5]

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Nov 2, 2015 · Since 2013, Porter Airlines has lobbied Toronto city council, wanting to extend the runway at Billy Bishop to accommodate Bombardier CS-100 jets ...
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https://www.toronto.com/news/portstoronto-officially-stops-work-on-expanding-billy-bishop-airport-for-jets/article_09211e6b-bb5f-53bd-8345-b48378efd350.html
[38]
Porter CEO sues Air Canada for pulling travel pass - Reuters
Jul 20, 2010 · CEO Deluce suing for damages of C$5 million · Accuses Air Canada of tactical moves against Porter · Porter, Air Canada in court over Toronto ...Missing: disputes Island infrastructure
[39]
Porter CEO sues Air Canada | CBC News
Jul 20, 2010 · Porter Airlines CEO Robert Deluce's lawsuit claims up to $5 million from Air Canada. ... Both airlines have had a history of legal clashes ...Missing: litigation | Show results with:litigation
[40]
Porter CEO sues Air Canada for taking away his free first-class ...
Jul 21, 2010 · Deluce is looking for $100,000 in damages, plus his free passes back—well, that or $5 million. Air Canada had granted Deluce and his wife the ...Missing: litigation | Show results with:litigation
[41]
Air Canada loses case about Toronto Island airport | CBC News
Dec 13, 2011 · Air Canada has a lost a Federal Appeal Court case challenging the allocation of landing slots at the Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport.
[42]
Porter Airlines wins court battle over island landing slots
The company said Thursday that a federal judge has dismissed two legal proceedings brought by Air Canada against Porter that alleged the Toronto Port ...
[43]
Porter Airlines seeks court order to separate Jazz from Air Canada
Oct 26, 2007 · 26, 2007 - Porter Airlines Inc. is seeking a court order to split the Jazz Air regional airline from the Air Canada mainline carrier. October 26 ...<|separator|>
[44]
Deluce Holdings Inc v Air Canada - CanLII Connects
Nov 29, 2014 · Deluce Inc. claimed Air Canada improperly terminated employment to buy out their interest. The court found a strong case for "oppression" and ...
[45]
Court dismisses Air Canada suit over landing rights
This week, Porter CEO Robert Deluce said he was suing Air Canada because it revoked a free lifetime travel pass for him and his wife. Mr. Deluce said the ...Missing: litigation | Show results with:litigation
[46]
Porter CEO sues Air Canada over personal privileges
Jul 20, 2010 · Robert Deluce claims rival airline has reneged on free-travel agreement arising from 1986 business deal.
[47]
Porter CEO lost millions day trading, suing Canada Revenue Agency
May 30, 2025 · Porter Airlines' CEO is fighting the CRA over a six-figure tax bill linked to an unsuccessful incursion into “high risk” trading.Missing: controversies | Show results with:controversies
[48]
Porter's Robert Deluce wins top PR award - Strategy
Dec 4, 2009 · After a year of flying high, Robert Deluce, president and chief executive officer of Porter Airlines has landed the CEO Award of Excellence ...
[49]
CMA honours visionary Porter CEO as Canada's Marketer of the Year
Dec 3, 2012 · CNW/ - Robert Deluce, President and CEO of Porter Airlines has been named Canada's 2012 Marketer of the Year by the Canadian Marketing ...
[50]
Robert J. Deluce Awarded CVCA's 2014 'Entrepreneur of the Year ...
Robert J. Deluce Awarded CVCA's 2014 'Entrepreneur of the Year' Award ... He is a true entrepreneur and brings to the business a history ... Organization Profile ...Missing: biography | Show results with:biography
[51]
UOIT confers four honorary degrees at 2014 Convocation | News ...
UOIT presented honorary Doctor of Laws degrees to Mr. Robert J. Deluce, Mr. Gary Edgar, Ms. Mary Jo Haddad, and Dr. Ilse Treurnicht during ceremonies held on ...
[52]
Canada's Aviation Hall of Fame recognizes Robert Deluce
Jun 15, 2017 · Deluce has held management positions at a number of airlines over the years, including White River Air Service, norOntair, Austin Airways, Air ...Missing: education initial involvement
[53]
Drum Roll Please! Introducing The 2022 Canadian Travel Hall Of ...
Apr 20, 2022 · Created by TravelPulse Canada in 2018, the Canadian Travel Hall of Fame ... Robert Deluce; Transat co-founder Philippe Sureau; and Wardair ...
[54]
Porter Airlines Founder Robert Deluce Heads To Canadian ...
May 9, 2019 · Today's story is about Robert Deluce, who founded Porter Airlines ... My eight siblings also have been a pretty good support system over the years ...Missing: life | Show results with:life
[55]
Why Porter Airlines CEO Michael Deluce sees clear skies ahead
Oct 25, 2023 · Deluce is the first to admit Porter had no choice but to embark on a radical rethink of its business model. When COVID-19 shut down the world of ...
[56]
Stanley Matthew Deluce - Canada's Aviation Hall of Fame
It is important to note that Deluce started White River Air Services with his wife, Angela, and over time all of their nine children worked alongside them in ...
[57]
Porter Airlines CEO helps launch Muskoka summer route to ...
Deluce, who has a cottage in the area, praised regional tourism organization RTO12 Explorers' Edge and the District of Muskoka for their efforts in building a ...Missing: hobbies interests
[58]
Porter Airlines boss back home in Northern Ontario
Jun 11, 2010 · It was a business Robert helped out with as a child, and something which helped to infuse him with a lifelong love of flying. However, despite ...Missing: hobbies interests
[59]
Upstart Porter Takes on Air Canada, WestJet
Jul 22, 2007 · The brainchild of aviation veteran Robert Deluce, the company faced years of opposition to the revival of full service at the tiny island ...
[60]
https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748704131404575117672408695964
[61]
Porter Airlines' sneaky strategy - The Flying Moose
Apr 11, 2021 · One of Deluce's earliest moves was to purchase the company that owned the terminal at Toronto City, giving him the ability to evict Air Canada ...
[62]
What Porter Airlines chief learned pumping gas - Toronto Star
and learn that almost everything is negotiable.
[63]
The Travel Entrepreneur of the Year
May 24, 2013 · Robert Deluce's Porter Airlines put a secondary airport back on the map and brought civility back to flying.
[64]
Porter airline CEO lost millions 'high-risk' day trading, now he's ...
May 30, 2025 · Porter Airlines' CEO is fighting the CRA over a six-figure tax bill linked to an unsuccessful incursion into “high risk” trading.