Air Canada welcomes Canada's new status as Approved Destination for Chinese
travellers; doubles Toronto-China flights

MONTREAL, June 25 /CNW Telbec/ - Air Canada today welcomed the signing of an agreement between China and Canada by which the Government of China has granted Canada Approved Destination Status, making it easier for Chinese nationals to visit Canada. The agreement comes as Air Canada doubles its capacity between Toronto and China beginning this fall with the introduction of daily flights year-round to Shanghai, Beijing and Hong Kong, in addition to its year-round flights between Vancouver and all three cities.

"Canada's new status as Approved Destination by the Chinese government opens significant opportunities for Air Canada to further build on our already extensive service to China and Asia. It makes Canada an even more attractive destination for business and leisure travel, resulting in significant economic spin-offs for the Canadian economy and for the Canadian tourism sector in particular," said Duncan Dee, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Air Canada. "After many years of negotiations between Canada and China, today's signing of Approved Destination Status for Canada marks an important milestone in strengthening our longstanding ties and facilitating trade and tourism between our two countries. I wish to express our thanks to the Prime Minister and the Government of Canada for making ADS a reality."

Air Canada is a leading North American carrier for service to China with year-round daily flights from both its Toronto and Vancouver hubs to and from Shanghai, Beijing and Hong Kong, offering a total of up to 1,639 seats per day in each direction. This summer, Air Canada operates daily, non-stop service to Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong from both Toronto and Vancouver.

Air Canada was named Best Airline North America in a worldwide survey of more than 17 million air travellers conducted by independent research firm Skytrax for their 2010 World Airline Awards. In 2009, the readers of Business Traveler magazine voted Air Canada top airline in four categories: Best Flight Attendants in North America, Best In-Flight Services in North America, Best Airline for Business Class Service in North America and Best North American Airline for International Travel. In addition, Air Canada was voted the Best Airline in Canada and the Best Airline in North America by the readers of Global Traveler magazine in an international survey of business travellers.

Air Canada is Canada's largest domestic and international full-service airline providing scheduled and charter air transportation for passengers and cargo to more than 170 destinations on five continents. Canada's flag carrier is the 15th largest commercial airline in the world and serves 31 million customers annually. Air Canada provides scheduled passenger service directly to 59 destinations in Canada, 58 in the United States and 60 in Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Australia, the Caribbean, Mexico and South America. Air Canada is a founding member of Star Alliance, the world's most comprehensive air transportation network serving 1,167 destinations in 181 countries. Air Canada customers can collect Aeroplan miles for future rewards through Canada's leading loyalty program, and Top Tier members enjoy reciprocal frequent flyer benefits including lounge and priority services.

For further information: Isabelle Arthur (Montréal), [phone]; Peter Fitzpatrick (Toronto), [phone]; Angela Mah (Vancouver), [phone]; Internet: aircanada.com