Air Canada reports March traffic

MONTREAL, April 6 /CNW Telbec/ - For the month of March, Air Canada reported a system load factor of 82.1 per cent on a consolidated basis with Jazz (from which Air Canada purchases regional capacity), versus 80.7 per cent in March 2009, an increase of 1.4 percentage points. System traffic increased 9.6 per cent on a capacity increase of 7.7 per cent system wide.

"We are pleased to report a year-over-year increase in both our load factor and traffic for the month of March. Through the first quarter, our traffic rose every month over the same period in 2009 and it is encouraging that in March Air Canada's traffic grew in all three business segments - domestic, transborder and international - led by a 14.4 per cent increase in the international market, reaffirming our commitment to our strong international franchise. We continue to manage and deploy our capacity effectively and retain the loyalty of our customers while attracting new ones," said Calin Rovinescu, President and Chief Executive of Air Canada. "Travellers clearly prefer Air Canada, whether flying across the country or around the world. They recognize the high quality of Air Canada's on-board product, including the seatback audio-visual systems at every seat, the lie flat suites in our Executive First international business class, the value of our Aeroplan loyalty program and the wide selection of travel options available through our comprehensive schedule and global network. As well, they appreciate the service Air Canada provides, which has won it such awards as Best Airline in North America, Best North American Airline for Business Class Service and Best North American Airline for International Travel. We exceeded our On-Time-Performance target again this month and I want to thank our employees for their dedication to taking care of our customers and transporting them safely and in comfort to their destinations."

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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                              March                     Year-To-Date
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                       2010    2009  Change         2010    2009  Change
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    Traffic
     (RPMs mln)       4,234   3,862    +9.6%      11,693  10,984    +6.5%
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    Capacity
     (ASMs mln)       5,156   4,787    +7.7%      14,727  13,821    +6.6%
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    Load Factor        82.1%   80.7%   +1.4 pts     79.4%   79.5%   -0.1 pts
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              RPMs    1,227   1,186    +3.5%       3,424   3,395    +0.9%
              ---------------------------------------------------------------
    Canada    ASMs    1,505   1,472    +2.2%       4,373   4,263    +2.6%
              ---------------------------------------------------------------
              LF       81.5%   80.6%   +0.9 pts     78.3%   79.6%   -1.3 pts
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
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              RPMs      781     730    +7.0%       2,124   2,053    +3.5%
    US        ---------------------------------------------------------------
     Trans-   ASMs      976     936    +4.3%       2,750   2,675    +2.8%
     border   ---------------------------------------------------------------
              LF       80.0%   78.0%    2.0 pts     77.2%   76.7%   +0.5 pts
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
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              RPMs      883     820    +7.7%       2,307   2,180    +5.8%
              ---------------------------------------------------------------
    Atlantic  ASMs    1,082   1,027    +5.4%       3,039   2,861    +6.2%
              ---------------------------------------------------------------
              LF       81.6%   79.8%   +1.8 pts     75.9%   76.2%   -0.3 pts
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              RPMs      701     538   +30.3%       1,902   1,539   +23.6%
              ---------------------------------------------------------------
    Pacific   ASMs      778     596   +30.5%       2,182   1,738   +25.5%
              ---------------------------------------------------------------
              LF       90.1%   90.3%   -0.2 pts     87.2%   88.6%   -1.4 pts
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              RPMs      642     588    +9.2%       1,936   1,817    +6.5%
    Latin     ---------------------------------------------------------------
     Amer &   ASMs      815     756    +7.8%       2,383   2,284    +4.3%
     Other    ---------------------------------------------------------------
              LF       78.8%   77.8%   +1.0 pts     81.2%   79.6%   +1.6 pts
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%SEDAR: 00001324EF

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