MONTREAL, Oct. 11, 2011 /CNW Telbec/ - As reported in the news media, Canada's Minister of Labour, the Hon. Lisa Raitt, is referring the current impasse resulting from CUPE's failure to ratify a tentative agreement to the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB). The Minister further confirmed that no strike or lockout action can take place while the CIRB is considering the matter thereby effectively cancelling the strike deadline originally scheduled for 00:01 am ET on Thursday, October 13, 2011.

Air Canada will appear before the CIRB as required. Further details are not available at this point.

It will remain business as usual at Air Canada and all flights will continue to operate as scheduled.

We thank our customers for their patience and loyalty during this time. 

Air Canada encourages customers to visit aircanada.com for flight information and self service booking tools to avoid longer call centre wait times due to a higher volume of calls than usual.

Air Canada will continue to provide updates as developments warrant.

CUPE represents approximately 6,800 flight attendants employed by Air Canada.

Air Canada is Canada's largest domestic and international full-service airline providing scheduled and charter air transportation for passengers and cargo to more than 175 destinations on five continents.  Canada's flag carrier is the 15th largest commercial airline in the world and serves 33 million customers annually. Air Canada is a founding member of Star Alliance.  For more information on Air Canada visit aircanada.com. Follow @AirCanada on Twitter and Facebook.

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 below. 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.