MONTREAL, Nov. 7, 2017 /CNW Telbec/ - Air Canada and Sky Regional Airlines said today they have concluded a 10-year extension to their  existing capacity purchase agreement (CPA), effective April 1, 2017.

"This 10-year extension to the existing capacity purchase agreement with Sky Regional Airlines underscores our confidence in our Air Canada Express partner to provide a seamless operation and customer experience on behalf of Air Canada in a number of our key domestic and transborder regional markets on a cost competitive basis," said Kevin Howlett, Senior Vice President, Regional Markets and Government Relations at Air Canada. "With its fleet comprised exclusively of Embraer 175 jet aircraft that has grown to 25 in recent years, Sky Regional strengthens Air Canada's competitive position in the rapidly evolving North American regional markets as low cost operators continue to grow, both in Canada and the United States."

"We are very pleased that Air Canada has recognized our commitment to the passenger experience, and are looking forward to continued success as Air Canada offers more regional options for Canadians," said Russell Payson, Chairman, Sky Regional Airlines.

In addition to Sky Regional, Air Canada has capacity purchase agreements with its other regional airline partners, Jazz, Air Georgian and EVAS, that operate regional Air Canada Express flights on behalf of Air Canada.

About Air Canada
Air Canada is Canada's largest domestic and international airline serving more than 200 airports on six continents.  Canada's flag carrier is among the 20 largest airlines in the world and in 2016 served close to 45 million customers.  Canada's flag carrier is among the 20 largest airlines in the world and in 2016 served close to 45 million customers.  Air Canada provides scheduled passenger service directly to 64 airports in Canada, 57 in the United States and 98 in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia, Australia, the Caribbean, Mexico, Central America and South America. Air Canada is a founding member of Star Alliance, the world's most comprehensive air transportation network serving 1,300 airports in 191 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, which also named Air Canada the 2017 Best Airline in North America.  For more information, please visit: www.aircanada.com/media, follow @AirCanada on Twitter and join Air Canada on Facebook.

About Sky Regional
One of Canada's leading airlines, Sky Regional Airlines operates a fleet of Embraer 175 jet aircraft servicing domestic and trans-border flights on behalf of Air Canada under the Air Canada Express banner.

SOURCE Air Canada