MONTREAL, Sept. 3 /CNW Telbec/ - For the month of August, Air Canada
today reported a record system load factor of 86.8 per cent on a consolidated
basis with Jazz (from which Air Canada purchases regional capacity), versus
84.4 per cent in August 2008, an increase of 2.4 percentage points. System
traffic decreased 0.9 per cent on a capacity reduction of 3.6 per cent system
wide.
    "In August, Air Canada recorded a record system load factor for the month
of 86.8 per cent on a consolidated basis with Jazz," said Ben Smith, Executive
Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer. "These record load factor
results, for the second consecutive month, combined with stable system traffic
year-over-year, reflect not only our ongoing disciplined approach to capacity
management, but also the strong response from our customers and travel trade
partners. Our initiatives over recent months to re-engage customers and travel
agents are clearly starting to pay off. With our major fleet refurbishment
program now complete, we remain focused on listening to our customers and
offering them a market leading product, schedule and Aeroplan loyalty program.
We will also continue to strategically redeploy capacity to pursue profitable
new revenue generation opportunities as we manage through the difficult
environment created by the ongoing effects of a weak global economy. The hard
work of our employees has been instrumental in earning the loyalty of our
customers, and I want to thank them for their dedication and professionalism
that is being recognized by the market's positive response."

    CAUTION REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

    Air Canada's public communications may include written or oral
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. Any forecasts or forward-looking
predictions or 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, currency exchange and
interest rates, employee and labour relations, competition, war, terrorist
acts, epidemic diseases, 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. The
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.-------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                 CONSOLIDATED
                       (AIR CANADA MAINLINE AND JAZZ)
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
                               AUGUST                     YEAR-TO-DATE
                      -------------------------------------------------------
                        2009    2008  Change         2009    2008  Change
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Traffic
     (RPMs millions)   5,133   5,179    -0.9%      32,831  35,415    -7.3%
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Capacity
     (ASMs millions)   5,917   6,135    -3.6%      40,276  43,171    -6.7%
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Load Factor         86.8%   84.4%   +2.4 pts     81.5%   82.0%   -0.5 pts
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
             RPMs      1,745   1,715    +1.7%      10,647  11,266    -5.5%
             ----------------------------------------------------------------
    Canada   ASMs      2,046   2,105    -2.8%      13,258  13,964    -5.1%
             ----------------------------------------------------------------
             Load
              Factor    85.3%   81.5%   +3.8 pts     80.3%   80.7%   -0.4 pts
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
             RPMs        638     693    -7.9%       5,011   5,653   -11.4%
    U.S.     ----------------------------------------------------------------
     Trans-  ASMs        790     881   -10.3%       6,571   7,294    -9.9%
     border  ----------------------------------------------------------------
             Load
              Factor    80.8%   78.7%   +2.1 pts     76.3%   77.5%   -1.2 pts
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
             RPMs      1,521   1,402    +8.5%       8,468   8,633    -1.9%
             ----------------------------------------------------------------
    Atlantic ASMs      1,679   1,553    +8.1%      10,023  10,116    -0.9%
             ----------------------------------------------------------------
             Load
              Factor    90.6%   90.3%   +0.3 pts     84.5%   85.3%   -0.8 pts
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
             RPMs        827     930   -11.1%       4,978   5,980   -16.8%
             ----------------------------------------------------------------
    Pacific  ASMs        926   1,076   -13.9%       5,774   7,049   -18.1%
             ----------------------------------------------------------------
             Load
              Factor    89.3%   86.4%   +2.9 pts     86.2%   84.8%   +1.4 pts
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
             RPMs        402     439    -8.4%       3,727   3,883    -4.0%
    Latin    ----------------------------------------------------------------
     America ASMs        476     520    -8.3%       4,650   4,748    -2.1%
     & Other ----------------------------------------------------------------
             Load
              Factor    84.4%   84.4%    0.0 pts     80.2%   81.8%   -1.6 pts
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------%SEDAR: 00001324EF