Air Canada reports April traffic

MONTREAL, May 6 /CNW Telbec/ - For the month of April, Air Canada reported a system load factor of 82.4 per cent on a consolidated basis with Jazz (from which Air Canada purchases regional capacity), versus 81.1 per cent in April 2009, an increase of 1.3 percentage points. System traffic increased 1.0 per cent while system wide capacity decreased 0.7 per cent. The system wide capacity decrease was approximately 3.0 percentage points below expected levels, the result of cancelled flights to and from Europe due to volcanic activity affecting European air space in mid-April.

"For the month of April, Air Canada reported a load factor of 82.4 per cent on a consolidated basis with Jazz," said Calin Rovinescu, President and Chief Executive Officer. "This marks the fifth consecutive month that our traffic has increased for the same period, year-over-year. Despite the negative impact of volcanic activity on transatlantic operations, Air Canada maintained a strong performance recording increases in traffic and load factors in all other markets.

"Our employees embraced a 'just do it' attitude across the company to take care of thousands of customers impacted world wide by this disruption to European air travel. As a result of their hard work and team spirit, we were able to resume a stable operation quickly and safely. Customer feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. I am particularly proud of our employees who under these extraordinary circumstances exceeded both Customer Satisfaction and On-Time Performance objectives for the month, achieving on-time arrivals performance of 81 per cent for April."

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, 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.

    
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                                 CONSOLIDATED
                       (AIR CANADA MAINLINE AND JAZZ)
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                              April                     Year-To-Date
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                       2010    2009  Change         2010    2009  Change
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    Traffic
     (RPMs mln)       3,869   3,832    +1.0%      15,562  14,817    +5.0%
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Capacity
     (ASMs mln)       4,696   4,727    -0.7%      19,423  18,549    +4.7%
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    Load Factor        82.4%   81.1%   +1.3 pts     80.1%   79.9%   +0.2 pts
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
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              RPMs    1,211   1,189    +1.9%       4,635   4,586    +1.1%
              ---------------------------------------------------------------
    Canada    ASMs    1,453   1,470    -1.2%       5,826   5,733    +1.6%
              ---------------------------------------------------------------
              LF       83.3%   80.9%   +2.4 pts     79.6%   80.0%   -0.4 pts
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
              RPMs      689     660    +4.4%       2,813   2,713    +3.7%
    US        ---------------------------------------------------------------
     Trans-   ASMs      906     880    +3.0%       3,655   3,556    +2.8%
     border   ---------------------------------------------------------------
              LF       76.0%   75.0%   +1.0 pts     77.0%   76.3%   +0.7 pts
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
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              RPMs      820     954   -14.0%       3,126   3,133    -0.2%
              ---------------------------------------------------------------
    Atlantic  ASMs      971   1,123   -13.5%       4,011   3,984    +0.7%
              ---------------------------------------------------------------
              LF       84.4%   85.0%   -0.6 pts     77.9%   78.6%   -0.7 pts
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
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              RPMs      686     584   +17.5%       2,589   2,123   +22.0%
              ---------------------------------------------------------------
    Pacific   ASMs      787     670   +17.5%       2,969   2,407   +23.3%
              ---------------------------------------------------------------
              LF       87.2%   87.2%    0.0 pts     87.2%   88.2%   -1.0 pts
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
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              RPMs      463     445    +4.0%       2,399   2,262    +6.1%
    Latin     ---------------------------------------------------------------
     Amer &   ASMs      579     584    -0.9%       2,962   2,869    +3.2%
     Other    ---------------------------------------------------------------
              LF       80.0%   76.2%   +3.8 pts     81.0%   78.8%   +2.2 pts
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    

%SEDAR: 00001324EF

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