Seventh agreement reached between Air Canada and its unions over the past year and a half

MONTREAL, Feb. 12, 2016 /CNW Telbec/ - Air Canada said today that it welcomes confirmation by the Canadian Airline Dispatchers Association (CALDA) that its members have ratified a new contract on collective agreement terms for 12 years. Air Canada's flight dispatchers are based at the airline's Operations Centre near Toronto Pearson International Airport and assist flight crew in the preparation for flight departures and arrivals.

"The ratification of this new 12-year contract with our flight dispatchers, the seventh of our employee groups to do so over the past year and a half, is an unprecedented achievement that recognizes the important contribution of our employees and underscores the transformative change that has taken place at Air Canada," said Calin Rovinescu, President and Chief Executive of Air Canada. "Moreover, these agreements provide Air Canada with added stability and flexibility to support long-term and profitable growth at the airline that is beneficial for all stakeholders."

This 12-year contract with CALDA follows on the conclusion of 10-year contracts with the IAMAW, representing Air Canada's 7,500 technical, maintenance, airport ramp and cargo personnel; with CUPE, representing the airline's 6,500 flight attendants, and with ACPA, representing its 3,000 pilots.  It is the seventh agreement reached by Air Canada and its unions, including those with 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 2015 served more than 41 million customers. Air Canada provides scheduled passenger service directly to 63 airports in Canada, 56 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 1,330 airports in 192 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 - Corporate - Finance