Air Canada reports record September load factor

    MONTREAL, Oct. 3 /CNW Telbec/ - For the month of September, Air Canada
today reported a load factor of 79.9 per cent on a consolidated basis with
Jazz, a record for the month, versus 78.7 per cent in September 2007, an
increase of 1.2 percentage points. System traffic decreased 5.0 per cent on a
capacity decrease of 6.4 per cent system wide.
    Air Canada mainline reported a load factor of 80.9 per cent, a record for
the month, compared to 79.1 per cent in September 2007; an increase of
1.8 percentage points. The mainline carrier flew 4.8 per cent fewer revenue
passenger miles (RPMs) in September 2008 than in September 2007 on a capacity
decrease of 6.9 per cent, according to preliminary traffic figures.
    Jazz, from which Air Canada purchases regional capacity, flew 7.3 per
cent fewer RPMs in September 2008 than in September 2007, according to
preliminary traffic figures. Capacity decreased by 1.6 per cent, resulting in
a load factor of 69.2 per cent, compared to 73.5 per cent in September 2007; a
decrease of 4.3 percentage points.
    "Air Canada mainline posted a record load factor of 80.9 per cent for the
month of September," said Montie Brewer, President and Chief Executive
Officer. "We're pleased that through on-going prudent capacity management we
are able to maintain our strong performance, even in a softening North
American market. I am particularly proud of our employees who, for the sixth
consecutive month, have exceeded On-Time Performance objectives through some
of the busiest travel periods of the year."

    CAUTION REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

    This disclosure may include forward-looking statements within the meaning
of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements are based on
assumptions, are subject to important risks and uncertainties and cannot be
relied upon due to, amongst other things, changing external factors and
general uncertainties of the business. Results indicated in forward-looking
statements may differ materially from actual results due to a number of
factors, including without limitation, energy prices, general industry, market
and economic conditions, currency exchange and interest rates, competition,
war, terrorist acts, epidemic diseases, insurance issues and costs, changes in
demand due to the seasonal nature of the business, the ability to reduce
operating costs, employee and labour relations, pension issues, supply issues,
changes in laws, regulatory developments or proceedings, pending and future
litigation and actions by third parties, as well as the factors (including
assumptions) identified in Air Canada's public disclosure file and accessible
through SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Any forward-looking statements contained in
this disclosure represent Air Canada's expectations as of the date of this
disclosure and are subject to change after such date. 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.-------------------------------------------------------------------------
                             AIR CANADA MAINLINE
                           (Includes Jetz & Tier 3)
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
                            SEPTEMBER                    YEAR-TO-DATE
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
                       2008    2007  Change         2008    2007  Change
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Traffic
     (RPMs millions)  3,928   4,125    -4.8%      36,506  35,943    +1.6%
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Capacity
     (ASMs millions)  4,854   5,212    -6.9%      44,162  43,759    +0.9%
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Load Factor        80.9%   79.1%   +1.8 pts     82.7%   82.1%   +0.6 pts
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
              RPMs    1,107   1,153    -4.0%      10,293  10,124    +1.7%
             ----------------------------------------------------------------
    Canada    ASMs    1,417   1,472    -3.7%      12,662  12,365    +2.4%
             ----------------------------------------------------------------
              Load
               Factor  78.1%   78.3%   -0.2 pts     81.3%   81.9%   -0.6 pts
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
              RPMs      455     568   -19.9%       5,351   5,782    -7.5%
    U.S.     ----------------------------------------------------------------
     Trans-   ASMs      604     763   -20.8%       6,754   7,299    -7.5%
     border  ----------------------------------------------------------------
              Load
               Factor  75.3%   74.4%   +0.9 pts     79.2%   79.2%    0.0 pts
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
              RPMs    1,268   1,302    -2.6%       9,901   9,850    +0.5%
             ----------------------------------------------------------------
    Atlantic  ASMs    1,417   1,575   -10.0%      11,533  11,665    -1.1%
             ----------------------------------------------------------------
              Load
               Factor  89.5%   82.7%   +6.8 pts     85.8%   84.4%   +1.4 pts
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
              RPMs      771     797    -3.3%       6,751   6,727    +0.4%
             ----------------------------------------------------------------
    Pacific   ASMs      982   1,012    -3.0%       8,031   8,057    -0.3%
             ----------------------------------------------------------------
              Load
               Factor  78.5%   78.8%   -0.3 pts     84.1%   83.5%   +0.6 pts
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
              RPMs      327     305    +7.2%       4,210   3,460   +21.7%
    Latin    ----------------------------------------------------------------
     America  ASMs      434     390   +11.3%       5,182   4,373   +18.5%
     & Other ----------------------------------------------------------------
              Load
               Factor  75.3%   78.2%   -2.9 pts     81.2%   79.1%   +2.1 pts
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------


    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   AIR CANADA'S REGIONAL CAPACITY PROVIDER
                                   (JAZZ)
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
                             SEPTEMBER                   Year-To-Date
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
                       2008    2007  Change         2008    2007  Change
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Traffic
    (RPMs millions)     331     357    -7.3%       3,161   3,240    -2.4%
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Capacity
     (ASMs millions)    478     486    -1.6%       4,329   4,341    -0.3%
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Load Factor        69.2%   73.5%   -4.3 pts     73.0%   74.6%   -1.6 pts
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
              RPMs      235     271   -13.3%       2,312   2,433    -5.0%
             ----------------------------------------------------------------
    Canada    ASMs      314     356   -11.8%       3,027   3,163    -4.3%
             ----------------------------------------------------------------
              Load
               Factor  74.8%   76.1%   -1.3 pts     76.4%   76.9%   -0.5pts
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
              RPMs       96      86   +11.6%         849     807    +5.2%
    U.S.     ----------------------------------------------------------------
     Trans-   ASMs      164     130   +26.2%       1,302   1,178   +10.5%
     border  ----------------------------------------------------------------
              Load
               Factor  58.5%   66.2%   -7.7 pts     65.2%   68.5%   -3.3 pts
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------


    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   COMBINED
                       (AIR CANADA MAINLINE AND JAZZ)
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
                             SEPTEMBER                  Year-To-Date
             ----------------------------------------------------------------
                       2008    2007  Change         2008    2007  Change
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Traffic
     (RPMs millions)  4,259   4,482    -5.0%      39,667  39,183    +1.2%
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Capacity
     (ASMs millions)  5,332   5,698    -6.4%      48,491  48,100    +0.8%
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Load Factor        79.9%   78.7%   +1.2 pts     81.8%   81.5%   +0.3 pts
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
              RPMs    1,342   1,424    -5.8%      12,605  12,557    +0.4%
             ----------------------------------------------------------------
     Canada   ASMs    1,731   1,828    -5.3%      15,689  15,528    +1.0%
             ----------------------------------------------------------------
              Load
               Factor  77.5%  77.9%    -0.4 pts     80.3%   80.9%   -0.6 pts
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
              RPMs      551    654    -15.7%       6,200   6,589    -5.9%
    U.S.     ----------------------------------------------------------------
     Trans-   ASMs      768    893    -14.0%       8,056   8,477    -5.0%
     border  ----------------------------------------------------------------
              Load
               Factor  71.7%  73.2%    -1.5 pts     77.0%   77.7%   -0.7 pts
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
              RPMs    2,366  2,404     -1.6%      20,862  20,037    +4.1%
    Interna- ----------------------------------------------------------------
     tional   ASMs    2,833  2,977     -4.8%      24,746  24,095    +2.7%
             ----------------------------------------------------------------
              Load
               Factor  83.5%  80.8%    +2.7 pts     84.3%   83.2%   +1.1 pts
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------%SEDAR: 00001324EF



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