Air Canada reports record January traffic

    MONTREAL, Feb. 5 /CNW Telbec/ - For the month of January, system traffic
on a consolidated basis for Air Canada and Jazz rose 3.8 per cent on a
capacity increase of 3.7 per cent system wide. This resulted in a load factor
of 77.9 per cent versus 77.8 per cent in January 2007, a record for the month.
    The mainline carrier flew 3.4 per cent more revenue passenger miles
(RPMs) in January 2008 than in January 2007, according to preliminary traffic
figures. Capacity increased by 3.3 per cent, resulting in a load factor of
78.7 per cent, compared to 78.6 per cent in January 2007; an increase of
0.1 percentage points.
    Jazz, from which Air Canada purchases regional capacity, flew
8.1 per cent more RPMs in January 2008 than in January 2007, according to
preliminary traffic figures. Capacity increased by 7.8 per cent, resulting in
a load factor of 69.4 per cent, compared to 69.3 per cent in January 2007; an
increase of 0.1 percentage points.
    "In January, we recorded the highest ever load factor for Air Canada and
Jazz, at 77.9 per cent. System wide traffic, on a combined basis, increased
3.8 per cent from the previous year, outpacing capacity growth," said
Montie Brewer, President and Chief Executive Officer. "These strong results in
a traditionally slower travel month demonstrate disciplined capacity
management, combined with customers' increasing preference for Air Canada's
innovative fare products and new in-flight amenities as we renew the fleet. I
am particularly proud of our employees who worked hard to take care of
customers during a month of challenging winter conditions."

    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
and economic conditions, war, terrorist acts, labour or pension issues,
changes in laws and regulations, litigation and actions by third parties as
well as the factors identified in Air Canada's public disclosure file
accessible through SEDAR at www.sedar.com. 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
              ---------------------------------------------------------------
                        2008    2007  Change        2008    2007  Change
              ---------------------------------------------------------------
    Traffic
     (RPMs
     millions)         3,726   3,602    +3.4%      3,726   3,602    +3.4%
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Capacity
     (ASMs
     millions)         4,734   4,582    +3.3%      4,734   4,582    +3.3%
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Load Factor         78.7%   78.6%   +0.1 pts    78.7%   78.6%   +0.1 pts
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
              RPMs       961     924    +4.0%        961     924    +4.0%
              ---------------------------------------------------------------
    Canada    ASMs     1,209   1,172    +3.2%      1,209   1,172    +3.2%
              ---------------------------------------------------------------
              Load
               Factor   79.5%   78.8%   +0.7 pts    79.5%   78.8%   +0.7 pts
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    U.S.
     Trans-
     border   RPMs       704     708    -0.6%        704     708    -0.6%
              ---------------------------------------------------------------
              ASMs       942     964    -2.3%        942     964    -2.3%
              ---------------------------------------------------------------
              Load
               Factor   74.7%   73.4%   +1.3 pts    74.7%   73.4%   +1.3 pts
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
              RPMs       811     799    +1.5%        811     799    +1.5%
              ---------------------------------------------------------------
    Atlantic  ASMs     1,059     998    +6.1%      1,059     998    +6.1%
              ---------------------------------------------------------------
              Load
               Factor   76.6%   80.1%   -3.5 pts    76.6%   80.1%   -3.5 pts
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
              RPMs       647     650    -0.5%        647     650    -0.5%
              ---------------------------------------------------------------
    Pacific   ASMs       776     795    -2.4%        776     795    -2.4%
              ---------------------------------------------------------------
              Load
               Factor   83.4%   81.8%   +1.6 pts    83.4%   81.8%   +1.6 pts
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Latin
     America
     & Other  RPMs       603     521   +15.7%        603     521   +15.7%
              ---------------------------------------------------------------
              ASMs       748     653   +14.5%        748     653   +14.5%
              ---------------------------------------------------------------
              Load
               Factor   80.6%   79.8%   +0.8 pts    80.6%   79.8%   +0.8 pts
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------


    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   AIR CANADA'S REGIONAL CAPACITY PROVIDER
                                   (JAZZ)
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
                             JANUARY                  YEAR-TO-DATE
              ---------------------------------------------------------------
                        2008    2007  Change        2008    2007  Change
              ---------------------------------------------------------------
    Traffic
     (RPMs
     millions)           334     309    +8.1%        334     309    +8.1%
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Capacity
     (ASMs
     millions)           481     446    +7.8%        481     446    +7.8%
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Load Factor         69.4    69.3%   +0.1 pts    69.4    69.3%   +0.1 pts
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
              RPMs       254     230   +10.4%        254     230   +10.4%
              ---------------------------------------------------------------
    Canada    ASMs       350     318   +10.1%        350     318   +10.1%
              ---------------------------------------------------------------
              Load
               Factor   72.6%   72.3%   +0.3 pts    72.6%   72.3%   +0.3 pts
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    U.S.
     Trans-
     border   RPMs        80      79    +1.3%         80      79    +1.3%
              ---------------------------------------------------------------
              ASMs       131     128    +2.3%        131     128    +2.3%
              ---------------------------------------------------------------
              Load
               Factor   61.1%   61.7%   -0.6 pts    61.1%   61.7%   -0.6 pts
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------


    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   COMBINED
                       (AIR CANADA MAINLINE AND JAZZ)
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
                             JANUARY                  YEAR-TO-DATE
              ---------------------------------------------------------------
                        2008    2007  Change        2008    2007  Change
              ---------------------------------------------------------------
    Traffic
     (RPMs
     millions)         4,060   3,911    +3.8%      4,060   3,911    +3.8%
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Capacity
     (ASMs
     millions)         5,215   5,028    +3.7%      5,215   5,028    +3.7%
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Load Factor         77.9%   77.8%   +0.1 pts    77.9%   77.8%   +0.1 pts
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
              RPMs     1,215   1,154    +5.3%      1,215   1,154    +5.3%
              ---------------------------------------------------------------
    Canada    ASMs     1,559   1,490    +4.6%      1,559   1,490    +4.6%
              ---------------------------------------------------------------
              Load
               Factor   77.9%   77.4%   +0.5 pts    77.9%   77.4%   +0.5 pts
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    U.S.
     Trans-
     border   RPMs       784     787    -0.4%        784     787    -0.4%
              ---------------------------------------------------------------
              ASMs     1,073   1,092    -1.7%      1,073   1,092    -1.7%
              ---------------------------------------------------------------
              Load
               Factor   73.1%   72.1%   +1.0 pts    73.1%   72.1%   +1.0 pts
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Inter-
     national RPMs     2,061   1,970    +4.6%      2,061   1,970    +4.6%
              ---------------------------------------------------------------
              ASMs     2,583   2,446    +5.6%      2,583   2,446    +5.6%
              ---------------------------------------------------------------
              Load
               Factor   79.8%   80.5%   -0.7 pts    79.8%   80.5%   -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