• Establish new Official Languages Branch responsible for airline's language action plan and initiatives
• Increasing language training to improve bilingual service delivery for all employees
• Special incentives for employees who recommend bilingual candidates who are subsequently hired

MONTREAL, March 21, 2022 /CNW/ - Air Canada announced today additional Official Languages initiatives that will strengthen and reinforce its commitment to bilingualism in its corporate culture.

Two Executive Vice-Presidents, supported by the senior management team, have been mandated to continuously review and improve Air Canada's Official Languages practices. These new initiatives were shared with all employees last week and have been well received.

"As we take a continuous improvement approach in our business culture, we are implementing additional initiatives to further strengthen our commitment to Official Languages in our corporate culture. We thank our employees for sharing their input as their feedback was instrumental and contributed to these new developments," said Arielle Meloul-Weschler, Executive Vice President, Chief Human Resources Officer and Public Affairs. "As a Canadian company deeply committed to our country's identity, we know we can always do more and do better. Canada's Official Languages are more than just a legal obligation, they align with our business goals and are an integral component of our service to customers, as well as part of our distinctive global brand."

From commitment to actions

• Establish Official Languages Branch

Air Canada's new Official Languages Branch will have responsibility for implementing Air Canada's Linguistic Action Plan and reporting progress to executive management on a quarterly basis. This dedicated team will also allow Official Language initiatives across the corporation to be deployed more effectively.

• More training to sustain bilingual service delivery

Air Canada will invest in increasing its language classes and enhance course offerings to enable employees to continuously improve their language skills. Starting this summer, the airline will be launching new training modules to all frontline and management employees to continue fostering the values of Official Languages and inform them of all tools available.

• Recognition and commitment

Air Canada is elevating bilingualism in its internal employee excellence recognition programs. The airline will also implement a special incentive to employees who recommend bilingual candidates who are subsequently hired.

"These initiatives, supported by the entire executive team, are in addition to the great efforts already made in our commercial strategy to better coordinate our initiatives in Francophone markets," said Lucie Guillemette, Executive Vice-President, and Chief Commercial Office at Air Canada. "Air Canada is committed and determined to continue to support and reinforce Official Languages in its corporate culture. More than an obligation, it is a promise to our employees, our customers, and the public – all of whom have high expectations of us, and we are acting on this promise."

Air Canada is Canada's largest private sector company offering bilingual services across Canada and is proud to offer services in both Official Languages, demonstrating true leadership among major Canadian companies in promoting bilingualism. Over the years, Air Canada has implemented a series of sustained initiatives in its Linguistic Action Plan, to maintain delivery of the services offered to customers in both official languages and to promote a bilingual workplace.

About Air Canada

Air Canada is Canada's largest domestic and international airline, the country's flag carrier and a founding member of Star Alliance, the world's most comprehensive air transportation network. Air Canada is the only international network carrier in North America to receive a Four-Star ranking from the independent U.K. research firm Skytrax, which in 2021 also named Air Canada as having the Best Airline Staff in North America, Best Airline Staff in Canada, Best Business Class Lounge in North America, as well as an Excellence award for its handling of COVID-19. Also in 2021, Air Canada was named Global Traveler's Best Airline in North America for the third straight year. In January 2021, Air Canada received APEX's Diamond Status Certification for the Air Canada CleanCare+ biosafety program for managing COVID-19, the only airline in Canada to attain the highest APEX ranking. Air Canada has also committed to a net zero emissions goal from all global operations by 2050. For more information, please visit: aircanada.com/media, follow Air Canada on Twitter and LinkedIn, and join Air Canada on Facebook.

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SOURCE Air Canada