AIR CANADA REPORTS FEBRUARY TRAFFIC

MONTREAL, March 4 /CNW Telbec/ - For the month of February, Air Canada reported a system load factor of 75.9 per cent, versus 78.4 per cent in February 2010, a decrease of 2.5 percentage points.  System traffic increased 3.7 per cent on a system-wide capacity increase of 7.1 per cent. Air Canada reports traffic results on a system-wide basis, including regional airlines from which Air Canada purchases capacity.

"For the month of February, Air Canada reported a system load factor of 75.9 per cent. We experienced continued traffic increases in the key transborder and Pacific markets and overall traffic growth system-wide. Comparisons to last year are challenging due to the impact of the Vancouver Winter Olympic Games in 2010," said Calin Rovinescu, President and Chief Executive Officer. "I want to thank our employees for their ongoing hard work and dedication in safely transporting customers to their destinations, particularly given the challenging winter weather we have faced this year."

In 2010 readership surveys, Global Traveler magazine readers voted Air Canada Best Airline in North America, and Business Traveler magazine readers voted Air Canada as the top airline in North America for Best Flight Attendants, Best In-Flight Services, Best Business Class Service, Best North American Airline for International Travel, as well as for Best Airline Web Site.

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. 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, currency exchange and interest rates, employee and labour relations, 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.

              

 
  FEBRUARY YEAR-TO-DATE
  2011 2010 Change 2011 2010 Change
Traffic (RPMs mln)       3,729       3,595       +3.7%       7,944       7,458       +6.5%
Capacity (ASMs mln)       4,910       4,586       +7.1%       10,313       9,572       +7.7%
Load Factor       75.9%       78.4% -2.5 pts       77.0%       77.9% -0.9 pts
               
Canada RPMs       1,063       1,083       -1.8%       2,196       2,197       0.0%

ASMs

      1,338       1,390       -3.7%       2,819       2,868       -1.7%
LF       79.4%       77.9%       +1.5 pts       77.9%       76.6%       +1.3 pts
               
US
Transborder
RPMs       739       661       +11.8%       1,494       1,343       +11.2%

ASMs

947 846 +11.9% 1,961 1,774 +10.5%
LF  78.0%  78.1% -0.1 pts  76.2%  75.7%       +0.5 pts
               
Atlantic RPMs       637       666       -4.4%       1,425       1,424       +0.1%

ASMs

      997       937       +6.4%       2,084       1,958       +6.4%
LF       63.9%       71.1% -7.2 pts       68.4%       72.7% -4.3 pts
               
Pacific RPMs       639       582       +9.8%       1,436       1,202       +19.5%

ASMs

      815       679       +20.0%       1,726       1,404       +22.9%
LF       78.4%       85.7% -7.3 pts       83.2%       85.6% -2.4 pts
               
Latin Amer
& Other
RPMs       651       603       +8.0%       1,393       1,292       +7.8%

ASMs

      813       734       +10.8%       1,723       1,568       +9.9%
LF       80.1%       82.2% -2.1 pts       80.8%       82.4% -1.6 pts

For further information:
Contacts:   

Isabelle Arthur (Montréal)
Peter Fitzpatrick (Toronto)   
Angela Mah (Vancouver)
514 422-5788
416 263-557