MONTREAL, Oct. 31, 2014 /CNW Telbec/ - Air Canada welcomes today's
confirmation by the Air Canada Pilots Association that its members have
ratified a landmark agreement on collective agreement terms for ten
years.
"This ten-year agreement with the Air Canada Pilots Association is a
ground-breaking development which allows us to accelerate the
implementation of our business strategy on a win-win basis with our
pilots," said Calin Rovinescu, President and CEO of Air Canada. "The
new agreement provides greater stability and long term cost certainty
as well as a framework for a strong partnership with our pilots. It is
also the most tangible indication of the shift in culture underway at
Air Canada.
"With this agreement now in place, we can focus our efforts on long-term
profitable growth at both Air Canada and rouge for the benefit of our employees and all of Air Canada's stakeholders.
I thank the teams representing both ACPA and management for their
insight, commitment and determination in reaching this agreement."
The agreement is subject to certain openers and benchmarks over the 10
year period.
In addition to labour stability and long term cost certainty, the
agreement also provides for increased flexibility with respect to
regional airline capacity purchase agreements to help ensure cost
competitiveness. In addition, it facilitates the evolution of Air
Canada rougeTM into a stronger leisure carrier with improved fleet renewal flexibility
and terms. As well, the agreement provides additional codeshare and
joint venture flexibility and scope.
The agreement has been approved by the Air Canada Board of Directors.
The Air Canada Pilots Association membership comprises approximately
3,000 pilots.
Air Canada is Canada's largest domestic and international airline
serving more than 180 destinations on five continents. Canada's flag
carrier is among the 20 largest airlines in the world and in 2013
served more than 35 million customers. Air Canada provides scheduled
passenger service directly to 60 Canadian cities, 49 destinations in
the United States and 73 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 1,316 airports in 192 countries. Air
Canada is the only international network carrier in North America to
receive a Four-Star ranking according to independent U.K. research firm
Skytrax that ranked Air Canada in a worldwide survey of more than 18
million airline passengers as Best Airline in North America in 2014 for
the fifth consecutive year. For more information, please visit: www.aircanada.com.
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 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.
SOURCE Air Canada
<p> </p> <p> Isabelle Arthur (Montréal) 514 422-5788<br/> Peter Fitzpatrick (Toronto) 416 263-5576<br/> Angela Mah (Vancouver) 604 270-5741 </p> <p> <b>Internet :</b> <a href="http://www.aircanada.ca/">aircanada.com</a> </p>