MONTREAL, Nov. 18, 2011 /CNW Telbec/ - Air Canada said today that it has received confirmation from UNITE, the union in the United Kingdom representing the airline's approximately 600 Heathrow-based employees that they have ratified tentative agreements reached October 27, 2011. The new four-year collective agreement for Air Canada's 560 airport customer service, aircraft services, cargo and clerical staff is in effect until December 31, 2014. The new five-year collective agreement for the airline's 36 aircraft engineers is in effect until December 31, 2015.

"We are pleased that our U.K.-based employees have ratified new collective agreements," said Yves Dufresne, Air Canada's Vice President, Alliances, International Operations and Regulatory Affairs. "This ratification vote concludes the constructive work achieved between Air Canada and Union representatives of its London-based employees during the past few months. It also represents a positive step towards labor stability at Air Canada. I commend the bargaining committees and our employee colleagues for achieving this outcome."

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.