/R E P E A T -- Air Canada and IAMAW Reach New 10-Year Agreement Subject to Ratification on Contract Terms/

New contract covers technical maintenance, airport ramp and cargo personnel

MONTREAL, Dec. 18, 2015 /CNW Telbec/ - Air Canada and the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAMAW) today announced they have reached a new agreement, subject to ratification, on collective agreement terms for ten years. The IAMAW represents 7,500 Air Canada employees who work in technical maintenance and as operational support employees at airports handling baggage and in Air Canada Cargo.

"This new agreement with the IAMAW on collective agreement terms for ten years is an important achievement that will support long-term and profitable growth at Air Canada and one that recognizes the important contribution of IAMAW members. Moreover, it will benefit all stakeholders by giving our company more certainty and flexibility, while at the same time providing stability for our employees," said Calin Rovinescu, President and Chief Executive of Air Canada. "This is now our sixth agreement -- the third with terms for 10 years -- that we have reached with our unions over the past year. As such, it is a further confirmation of the collaborative partnership Air Canada and its employees enjoy and our shared focus on taking care of customers and building one of the world's leading international carriers."

The agreement is subject to ratification by IAMAW's membership as well as to certain openers over the 10-year period. Details of the agreement will not be released pending ratification by IAMAW and approval by the Air Canada Board of Directors.

The union will recommend ratification to its members and the Company will seek the Air Canada Board of Directors' approval for the agreement promptly.

This agreement with IAMAW, subject to ratification, follows on the conclusion in November 2015 of a new agreement with Air Canada's 6,500 flight attendants on collective agreement terms for ten years. It is the sixth agreement reached by Air Canada and its unions, including those with ACPA, representing the airline's 3,000 pilots, Unifor representing the airline's 4,000 Customer Service and Sales Agents in Canada, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT) representing its U.S. unionized workforce and UNITE representing its U.K unionized workforce.

About Air Canada

Air Canada is Canada's largest domestic and international airline serving more than 200 airports on six continents. Canada's flag carrier is among the 20 largest airlines in the world and in 2014 served more than 38 million customers. Air Canada provides scheduled passenger service directly to 63 airports in Canada, 52 in the United States and 86 in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia, Australia, the Caribbean, Mexico, Central America and South America. Air Canada is a founding member of Star Alliance, the world's most comprehensive air transportation network serving 1,321 airports in 193 countries. Air Canada is the only international network carrier in North America to receive a Four-Star ranking according to independent U.K. research firm Skytrax. For more information, please visit: www.aircanada.com, follow @AirCanada on Twitter and join Air Canada on Facebook.

Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Information
Air Canada's public communications may include 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, including those described in this news release. Forward-looking 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, employee and labour relations, currency exchange and interest rates, competition, war, terrorist acts, epidemic diseases, environmental factors (including weather systems and other natural phenomena, and factors arising from man-made sources), 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. Any 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.

SOURCE Air Canada

Isabelle Arthur (Montréal), [email protected], 514 422-5788; Peter Fitzpatrick (Toronto) [email protected], 416 263-5576; Angela Mah (Vancouver), [email protected], 604 270-5741; aircanada.com