Air Canada operates fourth humanitarian mission to Haiti; Tranports 30,000 KGS of medical and essential supplies

MONTREAL, Feb. 5 /CNW Telbec/ - Air Canada continues to support relief efforts in Haiti by dispatching its fourth dedicated aircraft full of humanitarian relief supplies on Saturday February 6, 2010. The flight to Port-au-Prince is coordinated with Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada (DFAIT), the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), World Vision, the ONEXONE Foundation, and Health Partners International Canada.

"Since the tragic earthquake a month ago, Air Canada has worked hard with our relief partners to ensure that all supplies transported were successfully delivered to the Haitian people," said Duncan Dee, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Air Canada. "I want to extend our heartfelt thanks to our relief partners, suppliers and dedicated employees who have made these humanitarian missions possible."

All available space in the belly and in the passenger cabin will be used to transport 30,000 kgs of, medical supplies, food, tents, and sleeping bags for the ONEXONE Foundation, Health Partners International Canada, the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Canadian Embassy.

The four humanitarian flights operated by Air Canada will have delivered over 130 tonnes of critical supplies to Haiti.

The donated Air Canada aircraft and volunteer crew are scheduled to depart Saturday morning at approximately 10:30 ET from the carrier's cargo facilities in Toronto, with an expected arrival time in Port-au-Prince of 15:00 ET. The return flight, AC2151, scheduled to arrive in Ottawa Saturday at approximately 23:30 ET, will be used to transport evacuees, in collaboration with DFAIT and the Canadian Embassy in Port-au-Prince.

To help in this relief effort, several Air Canada suppliers including Cara Operations have donated their services. Nav Canada, the GTAA, the Ottawa International Airport Authority and Aéroports de Montréal (ADM) have waived fees.

In addition, all proceeds from Air Canada's on-board donation program, Every Bit Counts, will be directed to registered relief agencies in support of Haiti.

Air Canada, through its community investment program Kids' Horizons, has committed to undertake a long-term humanitarian project with a Canadian charity to assist children in Haiti as part of the re-building efforts that will be necessary.

For further information: Isabelle Arthur (Montréal), (514) 422-5788; Angela Mah (Vancouver), (604) 270-5741; Peter Fitzpatrick (Toronto), (416) 263-5576; aircanada.com