MONTREAL, Dec. 10, 2013 /CNW Telbec/ - Following a previously announced
Request for Proposals (RFP), Air Canada today announced that it has
signed an MOU to expand its relationship and amend its capacity
purchase agreement (CPA) with Air Georgian. Air Georgian has been
selected to operate a number of additional regional routes including
transborder routes in mid-2014 using Canadair Regional Jet aircraft.
"We are pleased to expand our longstanding commercial relationship with
Air Georgian that will allow Air Canada to introduce more
cost-competitive operations in a number of our key regional markets,"
said Kevin Howlett, Air Canada's Senior Vice President, Regional
Markets. "The competitive bid process generated a significant level of
response from a number of Canadian and U.S. regional operators.
Following a thorough evaluation of proposals received, Air Georgian was
selected on the basis of a broad range of criteria including
operational safety, efficiency, cost and service. The award of
additional flying to Air Georgian is an important step in our regional
airline diversification strategy and ongoing cost transformation
program."
"We are excited with this opportunity to expand Air Georgian's presence
as an Air Canada Express regional operator beginning in 2014," said
Eric Edmondson, President of Air Georgian. "The selection of Air
Georgian for this expanded role is based on our proven ability to offer
seamless connections and service for Air Canada customers that is of
mutual benefit for both airlines. We look forward to continuing to
expand our relationship, building on our solid partnership with Air
Canada that has developed over the past 13 years."
The implementation of the amendment to the CPA remains subject to the
parties making any necessary filings, obtaining regulatory approvals
and finalizing documentation.
Air Canada currently has capacity purchase agreements with four regional
airline partners that operate under the banner Air Canada Express:
Jazz, Sky Regional, Air Georgian and EVAS.
Air Georgian became a Tier III partner of Air Canada in 2000, operating
as Air Alliance under a CPA. Today Air Georgian operates under the
brand Air Canada Express, focusing on transborder and domestic airline
operations carrying over 350,000 passengers per year for Air Canada
from Toronto's Pearson International Airport, Montreal's Pierre Elliott
Trudeau International Airport, Halifax's Robert L. Stanfield
International Airport and Calgary's International Airport to 19
Canadian and U.S. destinations.
Air Georgian has been providing aviation services and charter flight
solutions for more than 25 years. Air Georgian also operates and/or
maintains a fleet of corporate jets from its base in Toronto. Air
Georgian is an IATA registered airline and recently achieved the
coveted ARGUS Platinum Audit Rating along with IS-BAO Stage 1
registration.
Air Canada is Canada's largest domestic and international airline
serving more than 175 destinations on five continents. Canada's flag
carrier is among the 20 largest airlines in the world and in 2012
served close to 35 million customers. Air Canada provides scheduled
passenger service directly to 60 Canadian cities, 49 destinations in
the United States and 67 cities in Europe, the Middle East, Asia,
Australia, the Caribbean, Mexico and South America. Air Canada is a
founding member of Star Alliance, the world's most comprehensive air
transportation network serving 1,328 destinations in 195 countries.
Air Canada is the only international network carrier in North America
to receive a Four-Star ranking according to independent U.K. research
firm Skytrax that ranked Air Canada in a worldwide survey of more than
18 million airline passengers as Best Airline in North America in 2013
for the fourth consecutive year. For more information, please visit: www.aircanada.com.
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 and the
capital markets. 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, employee and labour relations, currency
exchange and interest rates, 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.
SOURCE Air Canada