Discovery Air's Hicks & Lawrence Subsidiary Awarded 5-Year Fire Services
Contract by Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources

YELLOWKNIFE, NT, March 15 /CNW/ - Discovery Air Inc. announced today that its Hicks & Lawrence subsidiary has signed a new five year contract with the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (OMNR) to provide twenty aircraft in support of the OMNR's forest fire management and air transport/utility requirements. Tom Ball, the OMNR's Provincial Aerial Operations Coordinator, commented that "Hicks & Lawrence was successful in obtaining a 5 year contract to provide Forest Fire Birddog, Aerial Fire Detection and Transport Services. They have been able to adapt to changing operational standards over the years and the serviceability of their aircraft continues to meet the high standards established by both Hicks & Lawrence and the Crown."

"We are extremely pleased with this contract award, which attests to our long-term track record in meeting the OMNR's needs and to our continuing ability to provide our customers, including the OMNR, with safe and professional air services," noted Mark Hill, Hicks & Lawrence's President. Discovery Air's President and CEO Dave Jennings commented that "This contract award is a great example of how Discovery Air develops profitable solutions that meet its customers' objectives. The renewal contract ensures that the Province of Ontario will continue to benefit from the full-time commitment of a team of experienced Hicks & Lawrence personnel and aircraft to meet provincial forest fire management requirements in a cost-effective manner. From Discovery Air's perspective, it provides enhanced revenue certainty for Hicks & Lawrence while still leaving upside potential depending on fire conditions."

Hicks & Lawrence is organized into two divisions, Fire and Air Charter. The Fire division is a primary supplier of Airborne Fire Management services to the OMNR. The Air Charter division provides charter services to various government agencies and corporate customers throughout Northern Ontario and Eastern Manitoba.

Discovery Air Inc., founded in 2004, is a specialty aviation company that operates across Canada and in select locations internationally. With 145 aircraft, Discovery Air is the second largest air operator in Canada. Discovery Air's 500 person team provides unique flying solutions to a variety of government and business customers. Through its five operating companies, DA offers fixed-wing and rotary-wing services as well as logistics and remote operations management. Services include vital air ambulance operations, cargo and passenger operations to remote areas of northern Canada, utility flying for mining and oil and gas exploration, forest fire detection and airspace management, and airborne training and special mission services to the Canadian Army, Navy and Air Force.

Discovery Air's shares and debentures trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange (Symbols DA.A and DA.DB respectively).

For further information: [email protected]; Rolf S. Dawson, Vice President, Corporate Finance and Administration, [email protected], [phone], Extension 304; Sheila Venman, Vice President, Administration, Top Aces Inc., [email protected], [phone]