- Official airline of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter
      Games
    - Official transportation provider for canadian olympic teams to
      Beijing 2008, Vancouver 2010 and London 2012
    - To donate over $600,000 to Canadian Paralympic Committee

    MONTREAL, April 5 /CNW Telbec/ - Air Canada and the Vancouver Organizing
Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC) announced
today the appointment of Air Canada as the Official Airline of the Vancouver
2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games. The six-year partnership includes
sponsorship rights and transportation for the Canadian Olympic teams
participating at the Beijing 2008, Vancouver 2010 and London 2012 Olympic
Games.
    "All of us at Air Canada are honoured to support the Olympic and
Paralympic spirit," said Montie Brewer, President and Chief Executive Officer.
"Our sponsorship also underlines Air Canada's continuing support of the
Canadian Olympic and Paralympic Committees. We are looking forward to
Vancouver's success as the host city of the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter
Games, and are committed to playing a key role in bringing athletes, families,
friends and supporters from around the world to the Games."
    Vancouver is a major hub for Air Canada's domestic, U.S. transborder and
international networks and is the airline's main North American gateway to and
from Asia. Air Canada has developed its Vancouver hub to offer Canadians
access to the world and international visitors easy access to Canada's Olympic
Games host city for 2010.
    "With Air Canada onboard, together we will stage Canada's Games in 2010,"
said John Furlong, VANOC Chief Executive Officer. "Throughout their proud
seventy year heritage, Air Canada has been connecting Canadians from coast to
coast and travellers to and from around the world to Canada. Through this
exciting partnership, they will connect Canadians and the world to the Games
and carry the Vancouver 2010 message broadly around the globe. As Canada's
airline, it is only fitting that Air Canada will carry our Canadian teams -
and their dreams for podium success - to the next three Games in 2008, 2010
and 2012."
    "Be it in sport or business, one rises to the top through hard work,
perseverance and a dedication to excellence everyday and that's why this
partnership with Air Canada is such a good fit" said Jennifer Heil, Olympic
Gold Medalist (freestyle). "Whether delivering athletes in seamless,
worry-free travel or welcoming visitors to this country, we'll all be heading
to the games knowing we have Air Canada's commitment to excellence right there
with us".
    In addition, Air Canada's Olympic commitment will include support to
Canadian Paralympic athletes through an annual on-line fundraising initiative
at aircanada.com. Air Canada has pledged to give a total of over $600,000 over
the next six years to the Canadian Paralympic Committee. The airline will be
donating $1 from every on-line booking made through its website during a
designated annual campaign period. In 2007, the campaign will be held during
the week of April 30, 2007.
    "On behalf of all Canadian Paralympic athletes, I would like to thank Air
Canada for this very generous support," said Benoit Huot, Paralympic Gold
Medalist (Swimming). "When we know that there are iconic Canadian companies
like Air Canada who are putting their financial support behind our team and
the Paralympic Movement in Canada, it is incredibly inspirational as we
prepare for Beijing, Vancouver and then for London."

    About Air Canada

    Air Canada has been a proud supporter of the successful bids and
organizing committees for the 1976 Montreal Olympic Summer Games, the 1988
Calgary Olympic Winter Games, the 1994 Victoria Commonwealth Games and the
1999 Winnipeg Pan Am Games. Air Canada also sponsored bids for the 2002 Quebec
City Olympic Winter Games and the 2008 Toronto Olympic Summer Games.
    Montreal-based Air Canada provides scheduled and charter air
transportation for passengers and cargo to more than 170 destinations on five
continents. Canada's flag carrier is the 14th largest commercial airline in
the world and serves 34 million customers annually with a fleet consisting of
335 aircraft. Air Canada is a founding member of Star Alliance, providing the
world's most comprehensive air transportation network.

    About VANOC

    VANOC is responsible for the planning, organizing, financing and staging
of the XXI Olympic Winter Games and the X Paralympic Winter Games in 2010. The
2010 Olympic Winter Games will be staged in Vancouver and Whistler from
February 12 to 28, 2010. Vancouver and Whistler will host the Paralympic
Winter Games from March 12 to 21, 2010.
    VANOC's marketing program is focused on securing mutually rewarding
partnerships with shared values to generate sufficient revenue to host
successful Winter Games in 2010 and to leave a financial legacy for sport.
VANOC's International Partners include Coca-Cola, Atos Origin, GE, McDonald's,
Omega and Visa. VANOC's National Partners are Bell Canada, Hbc, RBC Financial
Group, GM Canada, Petro-Canada, and RONA. VANOC's Official Supporters include
the British Columbia Lottery Corporation, Canadian Pacific, Jet Set Sports,
Ricoh, the Royal Canadian Mint and Teck Cominco Limited. VANOC's Official
Suppliers are Birks, Dow Canada, EPCOR, Haworth Canada, Vincor and Workopolis.

    Note to Photo Editors:
    High resolution, downloadable color photos of the Air Canada event will
be available http://www.aircanada.com/en/about/media/facts/logo.html under
"Facts and Photos".