Chorus Aviation Inc. announces partial redemption of convertible debentures due December 31, 2014

Redemption of $60.0 million or approximately 75.0%

HALIFAX, Jan. 7, 2014 /CNW/ - Chorus Aviation Inc. ('Chorus') (TSX: CHR.B CHR.A CHR.DB) today announced that is has exercised its right to partially redeem its 9.50% Convertible Unsecured Subordinated Debentures ('Debentures') maturing on December 31, 2014, in accordance with the terms of the trust indenture governing the Debentures ('Trust Indenture').  On February 10, 2014 (the 'Redemption Date'), Chorus will redeem C$60.0 million of C$80.21 million aggregate principal amount of Debentures currently outstanding, representing approximately 75.0% of the current outstanding balance of Debentures. The Debentures will be redeemed on a pro rata basis.  On redemption, Chorus will pay to the holders of the redeemed Debentures the outstanding principal amount of the Debentures to be redeemed (the 'Redemption Price'), together with all accrued and unpaid interest thereon up to but excluding the Redemption Date, for a total of C$1,010.671238 per C$1,000.00 principal amount of Debentures.  The Debentures that are redeemed will cease to bear interest from and after the Redemption Date.

Chorus intends to use surplus cash to pay the Redemption Price, together with all accrued and unpaid interest thereon as described above. Following the redemption, C$20.21 million of Debentures will be outstanding.

Pursuant to the terms of the Trust Indenture, holders of the Debentures that are to be redeemed have the right until the last business day prior to the Redemption Date to convert their Debentures into Class A Variable Voting Shares ('Class A Shares') or Class B Voting Shares ('Class B Shares') of Chorus, as applicable, in accordance with the Trust Indenture and the provisions attaching to the Class A Shares and the Class B Shares , at a conversion price of C$5.25 per Share, being a rate of 190.4762 Shares per C$1,000.00 principal amount of Debentures.

"In addition to our recently announced dividend increase, using a portion of our year-end surplus cash to early retire $60.0 million of this 9.5% maturing debt is another step in our strategy to begin investing in long-term value propositions that will be accretive to our shareholders," stated Joseph Randell, President and Chief Executive Officer, Chorus. "The balance outstanding on these debentures is planned to be redeemed with future cash flow from operations either before or at their December 31, 2014 maturity date."

For more information, please contact Nyari Chifamba at CIBC Mellon Trust Company, the indenture trustee for the Debentures, at telephone [phone], or email [email protected].

Forward Looking Statements

Certain statements in this news release may contain statements which are forward-looking. These forward-looking statements are identified by the use of terms and phrases such as "anticipate", "believe", "could", "estimate", "expect", "intend", "may", "plan", "predict", "project", "will", "would", and similar terms and phrases, including references to assumptions. Such statements may involve but are not limited to comments with respect to strategies, expectations, planned operations or future actions.

Forward-looking statements relate to analyses and other information that are based on forecasts of future results, estimates of amounts not yet determinable and other uncertain events. Forward-looking statements, by their nature, are based on assumptions, including those described below, 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. Such statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements. Results indicated in forward-looking statements may differ materially from actual results for a number of reasons, including without limitation, risks relating to Chorus' relationship with Air Canada, risks relating to the airline industry, energy prices, general industry, market, credit, and economic conditions, competition, insurance issues and costs, supply issues, war, terrorist attacks, epidemic diseases, acts of God, changes in demand due to the seasonal nature of the business, the ability to reduce operating costs and employee counts, secure financing, employee relations, labour negotiations or disputes, restructuring, pension issues, currency exchange and interest rates, leverage and restructure covenants in future indebtedness, dilution of Chorus shareholders, uncertainty of dividend payments, managing growth, changes in laws, adverse regulatory developments or proceedings, pending and future litigation and actions by third parties. The forward-looking statements contained in this discussion represent Chorus' expectations as of January 7, 2014, and are subject to change after such date. However, Chorus 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.

About Chorus
Chorus was incorporated on September 27, 2010 and is a dividend-paying holding company which owns Jazz Aviation LP and a number of other companies involved in aviation related businesses.

Chorus is traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the trading symbols of CHR.A, CHR.B and CHR.DB.

For more information, visit www.chorusaviation.ca

About Jazz
Jazz Aviation LP has a strong history in Canadian aviation with its roots going back to the 1930s. Jazz is wholly owned by Chorus Aviation Inc. and continues to generate some of the strongest operational and financial results in the North American aviation industry. As the largest regional in Canada, Jazz has a proven track record of industry leadership and exceptional customer airline service, and has leveraged that strength to deliver value to all its stakeholders. The Company operates more flights and flies to more Canadian destinations than any other airline and has a workforce of approximately 4,760 professionals highly experienced in the challenging and complex nature of regional operations.

There are two airline divisions operated by Jazz Aviation LP:  Air Canada Express and Jazz.

Air Canada Express:  Under a capacity purchase agreement with Air Canada, Jazz provides service to and from lower-density markets as well as higher-density markets at off-peak times throughout Canada and to and from certain destinations in the United States. This month, Jazz is operating scheduled passenger service on behalf of Air Canada with approximately 750 departures per weekday to 54 destinations in Canada and to 25 destinations in the United States. With a fleet of 122 Canadian-made Bombardier aircraft, Jazz flies more daily flights to more Canadian destinations than any other airline.

Jazz:  Under the Jazz brand, the airline offers charters throughout North America with a dedicated fleet of five Bombardier aircraft for corporate clients, governments, special interest groups and individuals seeking more convenience.  Jazz also has the ability to offer airline operators services such as ground handling, dispatching, flight load planning, training and consulting.

For more information, visit www.flyjazz.ca.

SOURCE: Chorus Aviation Inc., Jazz

Chorus Media Contacts:

Manon Stuart  Halifax, Nova Scotia [phone]  [email protected]
Debra Williams Toronto, Ontario  [phone] [email protected] 

Analyst Contact:

Nathalie Megann Halifax, Nova Scotia [phone] [email protected]