Air Canada reports October traffic

MONTREAL , Nov. 4 /CNW Telbec/ - For the month of October, Air Canada reported a system load factor of 79.6 per cent on a consolidated basis with Jazz (from which Air Canada purchases regional capacity), versus 80.2 per cent in October 2008 , a decrease of 0.6 percentage points. System traffic decreased 1.3 per cent on a capacity reduction of 0.5 per cent system wide.

"Air Canada recorded a load factor of 79.6 per cent on a consolidated basis with Jazz in October," said Calin Rovinescu, President and Chief Executive Officer. "This result is close to last year's record load factor for the same month and underscores our continued disciplined approach to managing capacity. In this difficult economic environment, our ongoing stable load factor is also a reflection of our employees' hard work providing a level of service that is earning our customers' loyalty."

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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                              October                 Year-To-Date
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                       2009    2008  Change         2009    2008  Change
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    Traffic
     (RPMs mln)       3,850   3,900    -1.3%      40,849  43,573    -6.3%
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Capacity
     (ASMs mln)       4,835   4,860    -0.5%      50,338  53,363    -5.7%
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Load Factor        79.6%   80.2%   -0.6 pts     81.1%   81.7%   -0.6 pts
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------

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              RPMs    1,258   1,281    -1.8%      13,243  13,889    -4.7%
             ----------------------------------------------------------------
    Canada    ASMs    1,563   1,593    -1.9%      16,533  17,287    -4.4%
             ----------------------------------------------------------------
              LF       80.5%   80.4%   +0.1pts      80.1%   80.3%   -0.2 pts
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------

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              RPMs      534     576    -7.3%       6,060   6,779   -10.6%
    US       ----------------------------------------------------------------
     Trans-   ASMs      731     755    -3.2%       8,033   8,818    -8.9%
     border  ----------------------------------------------------------------
              LF       73.1%   76.3%   -3.2 pts     75.4%   76.9%   -1.5 pts
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------

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              RPMs    1,046   1,007    +3.9%      10,809  10,908    -0.9%
             ----------------------------------------------------------------
    Atlantic  ASMs    1,296   1,220    +6.2%      12,823  12,753    +0.5%
             ----------------------------------------------------------------
              LF       80.7%   82.5%   -1.8 pts     84.3%   85.5%   -1.2 pts
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------

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              RPMs      671     725    -7.4%       6,350   7,476   -15.1%
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    Pacific   ASMs      797     860    -7.3%       7,431   8,890   -16.4%
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              LF       84.2%   84.3%   -0.1 pts     85.5%   84.1%   +1.4 pts
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------

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              RPMs      341     311    +9.6%       4,387   4,521    -3.0%
    Latin    ----------------------------------------------------------------
     Amer &   ASMs      448     432    +3.7%       5,518   5,615    -1.7%
     Other   ----------------------------------------------------------------
              LF       76.1%   72.0%   +4.1 pts     79.5%   80.5%   -1.0 pts
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    

%SEDAR: 00001324EF

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