Air Canada announces acceptance of proposal for credit card processing services

MONTREAL, July 27 /CNW Telbec/ - Air Canada today announced that it has accepted a proposal from a new service provider for the provision of its principal credit card processing services requirements in North America for Visa and MasterCard, for a five year term beginning at the expiry of the current agreements being replaced. Air Canada and the credit card processor have agreed to triggering events upon which Air Canada would be required to provide the credit card processor with deposits. The obligation to provide, and the amount of, deposits required would be based upon a matrix measuring, on a quarterly basis, both a fixed charge coverage ratio and unrestricted cash of Air Canada.

Agreement between Air Canada and the credit card processor is subject to certain conditions, including conclusion of formal documentation.

Air Canada is issuing this press release pursuant to its obligations under applicable Canadian securities law.

CAUTION REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
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This press release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements relate to analyses and other information that are based on forecasts of future results and estimates of amounts not yet determinable. These statements may involve, but are not limited to, comments relating to preliminary results, guidance, strategies, expectations, planned operations or future actions. Forward-looking statements are identified by the use of terms and phrases such as "preliminary", "anticipate", "believe", "could", "estimate", "expect", "intend", "may", "plan", "predict", "project", "will", "would", and similar terms and phrases, including references to assumptions.

Forward-looking statements, by their nature, are based on assumptions, including those described herein 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, such as volcanic eruptions, 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 First Quarter 2010 MD&A and, in particular, those identified in section 12 "Risk Factors" of Air Canada's First Quarter 2010 MD&A and section 19 "Risk Factors" of Air Canada's 2009 MD&A. 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.

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