Air Canada and CUPE Reach Tentative Agreement on New Contract

MONTREAL, Aug. 1, 2011 /CNW Telbec/ - Air Canada today announced that it has reached a tentative collective agreement with the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), representing the airline's approximately 6,800 flight attendants.

The agreement is subject to ratification by the union membership. Details of the agreement will not be released pending ratification, and approval by the Air Canada board of directors.

"We are very pleased to have reached a tentative agreement that maintains industry-leading compensation and benefits for Air Canada's flight attendants while ensuring the long-term sustainability of the airline. We want to thank our customers for their ongoing loyalty and support of Air Canada during our contract negotiations with our unions," said Susan Welscheid, Senior Vice President, Customer Service.

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, currency exchange and interest rates, employee and labour relations, 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.


For further information:
Contacts :

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