Air Canada completes private offering of senior secured first lien notes and
senior secured second lien notes

/NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES./

MONTREAL, Aug. 3 /CNW Telbec/ - Air Canada announced today that it has completed its previously announced private offerings of senior secured notes, consisting of US$600 million principal amount of 9.25% senior secured first lien notes due 2015, C$300 million principal amount of 10.125% senior secured first lien notes due 2015, and US$200 million principal amount of 12% senior secured second lien notes due 2016.

Air Canada received net proceeds of C$1,075 million, after deduction of fees, expenses and discounts. Air Canada used approximately C$729 million of the net proceeds of the offerings to repay all of the outstanding debt under the secured term credit facility, including early payment fees.

The notes have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and may not be offered or sold in the United States without registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act. The notes have not been and will not be qualified for sale to the public under applicable Canadian securities laws and any offer and sale of the notes in Canada will be made on a basis that is exempt from the prospectus requirement of such securities laws. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of the notes in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

The notes were offered and sold in the United States only to qualified institutional buyers in accordance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act and outside the United States in accordance with Regulation S under the Securities Act. In Canada, the notes were offered and sold on a private placement basis to accredited investors in certain provinces of Canada.

CAUTION REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

Air Canada's public communications may include written or oral forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements, by their nature, are based on assumptions and are subject to important risks and uncertainties. Any forecasts or forward-looking predictions or statements cannot be relied upon due to, amongst other things, changing external events and general uncertainties of the business. Actual results may differ materially from results indicated in forward-looking statements due to a number of factors, including without limitation, industry, market, credit and economic conditions, the ability to reduce operating costs and secure financing, pension issues, energy prices, currency exchange and interest rates, employee and labour relations, competition, war, terrorist acts, epidemic diseases, environmental factors (including weather systems and other natural phenomena, such as volcanic eruptions, and factors arising from man-made sources), insurance issues and costs, changes in demand due to the seasonal nature of the business, supply issues, changes in laws, regulatory developments or proceedings, pending and future litigation and actions by third parties as well as the factors identified throughout Air Canada's public disclosure file available at www.sedar.com. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release represent Air Canada's expectations as of the date of this news release and are subject to change after such date. However, Air Canada disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required under applicable securities regulations.

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