Air Canada announces appointment of Duncan Dee as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer; Bill Bredt to retire after 36 years of service

    MONTREAL, March 31 /CNW Telbec/ - Air Canada today announced the
appointment of Duncan Dee as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating
Officer effective April 3, 2009. Mr. Dee will report directly to Calin
Rovinescu, President and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Dee succeeds Bill Bredt
who is retiring from the company after 36 years of service with Air Canada and
Jazz.
    "I am pleased to announce the appointment of Duncan to this key role in
overseeing the airline's operations," said Calin Rovinescu, President and
Chief Executive Officer. "Duncan's extensive knowledge, his experience in all
key areas of the airline and his proven leadership abilities will further
strengthen our executive team as we manage through this challenging
environment. I look forward to his contribution in our drive towards
operational and customer service excellence at the airline."
    Air Canada also announced the retirement of Bill Bredt. "Over the span of
his 36-year career with Air Canada, Bill has made many significant and lasting
contributions to this airline. His retirement is well deserved. Bill's
dedication, professionalism and passion for excellence will be remembered by
his many friends and colleagues throughout Air Canada, Jazz and the industry
at large," said Mr. Rovinescu.
    Since joining Air Canada in 1973, Mr. Bredt has held senior management
positions at Air Canada in operations and marketing including Vice President,
System Operations Control; Vice President, International, and Vice President,
Network and Revenue Management. He joined Jazz Air LP in August 2004 as Senior
Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. He was appointed to the position
of Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Air Canada in
August 2008.
    Duncan Dee joined Air Canada in 1997. In September 2007, he was appointed
to the position of Executive Vice President, Customer Experience and Chief
Administrative Officer, responsible for all aspects of the customer airport
experience world wide, in addition to responsibility for Legal Affairs,
Corporate Communications, Government Affairs, Corporate Safety and Environment
and Corporate Security & Risk Management.
    Prior to joining the airline's parent company, ACE Aviation Holdings Inc,
in 2004 as Senior Vice-President, Corporate Affairs and Chief Administrative
Officer, Mr. Dee was Air Canada's Senior Vice President, Corporate Affairs
with responsibilities for Corporate Communications, Government Relations,
Community Investments, Corporate Security, Safety and Environment, and the
Office of the Chairman, President and CEO.
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For further information:
For further information: Isabelle Arthur, (Montréal) (514) 422-5788;
Peter Fitzpatrick, (Toronto) (416) 263-5576; Angela Mah, (Vancouver) (604)
270-5741; aircanada.com