In addition, 200 new jobs to be created by Low Cost Carrier

MONTREAL, Sept. 20, 2012 /CNW Telbec/ - Air Canada said today that it will hire more than 900 employees over the next 12 months to meet its planned workforce requirements.  In addition, 200 new jobs will be created for flight attendants and pilots at the airline's low cost carrier that will be launched in 2013.

"Air Canada is undertaking a selective hiring process over the next 12 months in order to seize new commercial opportunities, enhance customer service and renew our workforce.  This recruitment program is consistent with our focus on controlling costs to become more competitive in our various markets," said Calin Rovinescu, President and Chief Executive Officer. "At a time when youth unemployment is nearly 15 per cent in Canada, we are pleased to offer exciting career opportunities that will especially appeal to young people. These include not only a chance to work at Air Canada's new low cost carrier, where 200 new jobs will be created in anticipation of its 2013 launch, but also for the mainline business where we will be actively renewing our airports, in-flight and call centre workforce."

Highlights of Air Canada's 2012-13 recruitment program are as follows:

• In addition to 160 new customer service call centre agents hired to date in 2012, Air Canada is hiring an additional 60 agents in the coming months for its call centres in Montreal and Toronto.
  
  
• Air Canada is hiring approximately 400 flight attendants to compensate for attrition and meet planned schedule requirements for its main network airline operation with the first training classes scheduled in October.
  
  
• Air Canada will be seeking candidates for approximately 500 permanent, part-time and full-time airport customer service agent and baggage handler positions at its major airport bases located across Canada mainly to compensate for attrition as the airline prepares to meet planned operational requirements for its winter schedule.
  
  
• Air Canada's low cost carrier will be hiring approximately 150 flight attendants and 50 pilots for its launch in 2013.

Information on Air Canada job postings is available at aircanada.com/careers where interested candidates with the necessary qualifications can apply online.  Preference will be given to candidates fluent in both English and French, and the company will be reaching out to the appropriate language organizations, educational institutions and publications to help identify potential candidates.

Air Canada is one of Canada's largest employers and careers at the airline are among the most desirable airline jobs in North America providing industry leading compensation and benefits in addition to skills training and career development. Air Canada employs approximately 27,000 people across Canada and world wide including more than 930 in Atlantic Canada; 5,300 in Quebec; 12,000 in Ontario; 800 in Manitoba; 1,700 in Alberta and 4,400 in British Columbia.

About Air Canada

Air Canada is Canada's largest domestic and international airline serving more than 175 destinations on five continents.  Canada's flag carrier is the 15th largest commercial airline in the world and in 2011 served more than 33 million customers.  Air Canada provides scheduled passenger service directly to 59 Canadian cities, 56 destinations in the United States and 63 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 1,356 destinations in 193 countries. In 2012, Air Canada was ranked Best International Airline in North America in a worldwide survey of more than 18 million airline passengers conducted by independent research firm Skytrax.

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, 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 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