Porter Airlines’ (Toronto-City Centre) Robert Deluce has personally filed a statement of claim against Air Canada for breach of contract. The claim seeks up to C$5 million in damages related to a travel pass agreement.

According to the press release, in 1986, the Deluce family sold Air Ontario and Austin Airways to Air Canada. Under terms of the sale, Air Canada agreed to provide Mr. Deluce and his spouse with a free travel pass for life.

Air Canada performed its obligations under this contract for approximately 23 years. In the fall of 2009, it unilaterally, and without warning, stopped honoring the arrangements.

The claim will be considered by the Ontario Superior Court of Justice.