Air Canada reports January traffic

MONTREAL , Feb. 3 /CNW Telbec/ - For the month of January, Air Canada reported a system load factor of 77.5 per cent on a consolidated basis with Jazz (from which Air Canada purchases regional capacity), versus 78.1 per cent in January 2009 , a decrease of 0.6 percentage points. System traffic increased 4.1 per cent on a capacity increase of 4.9 per cent system wide.

"For the month of January, Air Canada recorded a load factor of 77.5 per cent on a consolidated basis with Jazz," said Calin Rovinescu, President and Chief Executive Officer. "This result is close to last year's record load factor for the same month, underscoring the on-going effectiveness of our disciplined approach to capacity management in a difficult economic environment. I commend our employees who exceeded both Customer Satisfaction and On-Time Performance objectives for the month through their professionalism and focus in taking care of our customers while maintaining a safe and reliable operation. We are pleased to have ended 2009 with having been named Best Airline in North America by the readers of Business Traveler and Global Traveler magazines, and as Official Airline of the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, Air Canada is proud to bring the world to Vancouver over the coming weeks."

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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                             January                    Year-To-Date
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                       2010    2009  Change         2010    2009  Change
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    Traffic
     (RPMs mln)       3,864   3,713    +4.1%       3,864   3,713    +4.1%
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Capacity
     (ASMs mln)       4,986   4,754    +4.9%       4,986   4,754    +4.9%
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Load Factor        77.5%   78.1%   -0.6 pts     77.5%   78.1%   -0.6 pts
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
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              RPMs    1,114   1,125    -1.0%       1,114   1,125    -1.0%
              ---------------------------------------------------------------
    Canada    ASMs    1,478   1,466    +0.8%       1,478   1,466    +0.8%
              ---------------------------------------------------------------
              LF      75.4%    76.7%   -1.3 pts     75.4%   76.7%   -1.3 pts
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
              RPMs     682      670    +1.8%         682     670    +1.8%
    US        ---------------------------------------------------------------
     Trans-   ASMs     928      904    +2.7%         928     904    +2.7%
     border   ---------------------------------------------------------------
              LF      73.5%    74.1%   -0.6 pts     73.5%   74.1%   -0.6 pts
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
              RPMs     758      732    +3.6%         758     732    +3.6%
              ---------------------------------------------------------------
    Atlantic  ASMs   1,021      963    +6.0%       1,021     963    +6.0%
              ---------------------------------------------------------------
              LF      74.2%    76.0%   -1.8 pts     74.2%   76.0%   -1.8 pts
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
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              RPMs     619      538   +15.1%         619     538   +15.1%
              ---------------------------------------------------------------
    Pacific   ASMs     726      607   +19.6%         726     607   +19.6%
              ---------------------------------------------------------------
              LF      85.3%    88.6%   -3.3 pts     85.3%   88.6%   -3.3 pts
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
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              RPMs     691      648    +6.6%         691     648    +6.6%
    Latin     ---------------------------------------------------------------
     Amer &   ASMs     833      814    +2.3%         833     814    +2.3%
     Other    ---------------------------------------------------------------
              LF      83.0%    79.6%   +3.4 pts     83.0%   79.6%   +3.4 pts
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    

%SEDAR: 00001324EF

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