Air Canada reports record January traffic

    MONTREAL, Feb. 4 /CNW Telbec/ - For the month of January, Air Canada
today reported a record load factor of 78.1 per cent on a consolidated basis
with Jazz, versus 77.9 per cent in January 2008, an increase of 0.2 percentage
points. System traffic decreased 8.5 per cent on a capacity reduction of 8.8
per cent system wide.
    Air Canada mainline reported a load factor of 79.4 per cent in January
2009 compared to 78.7 per cent in January 2008; an increase of 0.7 percentage
points. The mainline carrier flew 7.7 per cent fewer revenue passenger miles
(RPMs) in January 2009 than in January 2008 on a capacity decrease of 8.5 per
cent.
    Jazz, from which Air Canada purchases regional capacity, reported a load
factor of 64.9 per cent, a decrease of 4.5 percentage points from 69.4 per
cent in January 2008. Capacity decreased by 11.9 per cent from January 2008
and the carrier flew 17.7 per cent fewer RPMs than in the previous January.
    "For the month of January, Air Canada reported a record 78.1 per cent
load factor, on a consolidated basis with Jazz," said Montie Brewer, President
and Chief Executive Officer. "These strong results, following five consecutive
years of record load factors, reflect effective capacity management as we
continue to focus on ensuring our assets are efficiently utilized. With a new
and refurbished fuel efficient fleet, industry-leading onboard product and an
innovative revenue model with a proven track record of success, Air Canada is
well positioned to manage through the challenges that the New Year will bring.
I want to thank our employees for taking care of our customers during a month
of challenging winter conditions."

    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, credit 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 and secure financing, 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)
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
                               JANUARY                  YEAR-TO-DATE
                      -------------------------------------------------------
                       2009    2008  Change         2009    2008  Change
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Traffic
     (RPMs millions)  3,438   3,726    -7.7%       3,438   3,726    -7.7%
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Capacity
     (ASMs millions)  4,330   4,734    -8.5%       4,330   4,734    -8.5%
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Load Factor        79.4%   78.7%   +0.7 pts     79.4%   78.7%   +0.7 pts
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
              RPMs      933     961    -2.9%        933      961    -2.9%
             ----------------------------------------------------------------
    Canada    ASMs    1,191   1,209    -1.5%      1,191    1,209    -1.5%
             ----------------------------------------------------------------
              Load
               Factor  78.3%   79.5%   -1.2 pts    78.3%    79.5%   -1.2 pts
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
              RPMs      587     704   -16.6%         587     704    -16.6%
    U.S.     ----------------------------------------------------------------
     Trans-   ASMs      755     942   -19.9%         755     942    -19.9%
     border  ----------------------------------------------------------------
              Load
               Factor  77.7%   74.7%   +3.0 pts     77.7%   74.7%    +3.0 pts
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
              RPMs      732     811    -9.7%         732     811    -9.7%
             ----------------------------------------------------------------
    Atlantic  ASMs      963   1,059    -9.1%         963   1,059    -9.1%
             ----------------------------------------------------------------
              Load
               Factor  76.0%   76.6%   -0.6 pts     76.0%   76.6%   -0.6 pts
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
              RPMs      538     647   -16.8%         538     647    -16.8%
             ----------------------------------------------------------------
    Pacific   ASMs      607     776   -21.8%         607     776    -21.8%
             ----------------------------------------------------------------
              Load
               Factor  88.6%   83.4%   +5.2 pts     88.6%   83.4%    +5.2 pts
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
              RPMs      648     603    +7.5%         648     603    +7.5%
    Latin    ----------------------------------------------------------------
     America  ASMs      814     748    +8.8%         814     748    +8.8%
     & Other ----------------------------------------------------------------
              Load
               Factor  79.6%   80.6%   -1.0 pts     79.6%   80.6%   -1.0 pts
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------


    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   AIR CANADA'S REGIONAL CAPACITY PROVIDER
                                   (JAZZ)
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
                               JANUARY                  YEAR-TO-DATE
                      -------------------------------------------------------
                       2009    2008  Change         2009    2008  Change
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Traffic
    (RPMs millions)     275     334   -17.7%         275     334   -17.7%
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Capacity
     (ASMs millions)    424     481   -11.9%         424     481   -11.9%
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Load Factor        64.9%   69.4%   -4.5 pts     64.9%   69.4%   -4.5 pts
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
              RPMs      192     254   -24.4%         192     254   -24.4%
             ----------------------------------------------------------------
    Canada    ASMs      275     350   -21.4%         275     350   -21.4%
             ----------------------------------------------------------------
              Load
               Factor  69.8%   72.6%   -2.8 pts     69.8%   72.6%   -2.8 pts
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
              RPMs       83      80    +3.8%          83      80    +3.8%
    U.S.     ----------------------------------------------------------------
     Trans-   ASMs      149     131   +13.7%         149     131   +13.7%
     border  ----------------------------------------------------------------
              Load
               Factor  55.7%   61.1%   -5.4 pts     55.7%   61.1%   -5.4 pts
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------


    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                 CONSOLIDATED
                       (AIR CANADA MAINLINE AND JAZZ)
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
                               JANUARY                  YEAR-TO-DATE
                      -------------------------------------------------------
                       2009    2008  Change         2009    2008  Change
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Traffic
     (RPMs millions)  3,713   4,060    -8.5%       3,713   4,060    -8.5%
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Capacity
     (ASMs millions)  4,754   5,215    -8.8%       4,754   5,215    -8.8%
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Load Factor        78.1%   77.9%   +0.2 pts     78.1%   77.9%   +0.2 pts
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
              RPMs    1,125   1,215    -7.4%       1,125   1,215    -7.4%
             ----------------------------------------------------------------
     Canada   ASMs    1,466   1,559    -6.0%       1,466   1,559    -6.0%
             ----------------------------------------------------------------
              Load
               Factor  76.7%   77.9%   -1.2 pts     76.7%   77.9%   -1.2 pts
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
              RPMs      670     784   -14.5%         670     784    -14.5%
    U.S.     ----------------------------------------------------------------
     Trans-   ASMs      904   1,073   -15.8%         904   1,073    -15.8%
     border  ----------------------------------------------------------------
              Load
               Factor  74.1%   73.1%   +1.0 pts     74.1%   73.1%    +1.0 pts
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
              RPMs    1,918   2,061    -6.9%       1,918   2,016    -6.9%
    Interna- ----------------------------------------------------------------
     tional   ASMs    2,384   2,583    -7.7%       2,384   2,583    -7.7%
             ----------------------------------------------------------------
              Load
               Factor  80.5%   79.8%   +0.7 pts     80.5%   79.8%   +0.7 pts
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------%SEDAR: 00001324EF



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