For the month of December, Air Canada
today reported a system load factor of 81.2 per cent on a consolidated basis
with Jazz (from which Air Canada purchases regional capacity), versus 81.7
per cent in December 2008, a decrease of 0.5 percentage points. System
traffic increased 3.4 per cent on a capacity increase of 4.0 per cent system
wide.
“For the month of December and full year 2009, Air Canada recorded load
factors of 81.2 and 80.7 per cent, respectively, on a consolidated basis with
Jazz,” said Calin Rovinescu, President and Chief Executive Officer. “These
strong results underscore the effectiveness of our on-going disciplined
approach to managing capacity in a difficult economic environment. I am proud
of our employees who remained focused on taking care of our customers while
maintaining a safe and secure operation during winter storms and the recent
implementation of new security measures. It is especially rewarding that
their dedication and professionalism have been recognized by our customers
who ranked Air Canada as the best North American airline in recent readership
surveys conducted by two international business traveler magazines.”
In 2009 readership surveys, Global Traveler magazine readers voted Air
Canada as the Best Airline in North America and Canada, and Business Traveler
magazine readers voted Air Canada as the top airline in North America for
Best Flight Attendants, Best In-Flight Services, Best Business Class Service
and as Best North American Airline for International Travel.