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‎Today, ‎July ‎18, ‎2019, ‏‎4 hours ago
 

Air Canada Named Among the 50 Most Engaged Workplaces for Fourth Consecutive Time

 
‎Today, ‎July ‎18, ‎2019, ‏‎4 hours ago | Canadian Aviation News

Provided by Air Canada/CNW

air_canada_logo.jpg?w=1024

MONTREAL, July 18, 2019 /CNW Telbec/ – Air Canada has been ranked among the 50 Most Engaged Workplaces™ for the fourth year in a row for its commitment to employee engagement by Achievers, an employee social recognition company.

Air Canada Named Among the 50 Most Engaged Workplaces for Fourth Consecutive Time (CNW Group/Air Canada) Air Canada Named Among the 50 Most Engaged Workplaces for Fourth Consecutive Time (CNW Group/Air Canada)

“We are thrilled with this recognition from Achievers as it affirms we remain on the right track fostering our employee culture to position Air Canada as a forward-thinking company. We believe culture is a competitive advantage, thus having an engaged workforce is an important business priority for us. We have continued to further evolve our culture to provide our 33,000 employees the opportunity to act as entrepreneurs and take responsibility as they deliver excellent service to customers. Our employees’ engagement is a significant reason why Air Canada was recently rated the Best Airline Staff in Canada in addition to Best Airline in North America by the widely-respected Skytrax World Airline Awards,” said Arielle Meloul-Wechsler, Senior Vice President, People, Culture and Communications at Air Canada.

The Achievers award is the most recent recognition Air Canada has received for human resources, corporate culture and employee engagement. Other awards this year include the following acknowledgements:

  • Receiving the inaugural award for Diversity in Leadership at the 2019 Airline Strategy Awards presented in London, England. The prize recognizes an airline organization that promotes diversity among its senior leadership team;
  • Named one of Canada’s Top 100 Employers in Canada (2019) for the sixth consecutive year by Mediacorp Canada Inc for Air Canada’s unique employee support and engagement programs;
  • Recognized as one of Montreal’s Top Employers for 2019 for the sixth consecutive year by Mediacorp Canada Inc. as having exceptional human resources programs and forward-thinking workplace policies, as compared to others in their industry and region;
  • Recognized as one of Canada’s Best Diversity Employers for 2019 for the fourth consecutive year by Mediacorp Canada Inc. Air Canada was recognized for its partnerships to create inclusive workplaces for employees from five diverse groups:  women, visible minorities, persons with disabilities, Aboriginal peoples, and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBTQ2) people; 
  • Among the 20 most attractive company brands that Canadians want to work for and actively seek out when looking for work in Canada, according to the Randstad Employer Brand Research independent survey.

Additional information about Air Canada’s People and Human Resources is in the “Employees” section of the 2018 Corporate Sustainability Report at: www.aircanada.com/citizensoftheworld.

 

Jazz Aviation’s Captain Nick Seemel honoured with ALPA’s Air Safety Award

 
‎Today, ‎July ‎18, ‎2019, ‏‎4 hours ago | Canadian Aviation News

Provided by Chorus Aviation Inc./CNW

jazz-logo.png?w=400

HALIFAX, July 18, 2019 /CNW/ – Jazz Aviation LP (‘Jazz’), a subsidiary of Chorus Aviation Inc. (‘Chorus’) (TSX: CHR), is proud to announce that the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (‘ALPA’) presented Captain Nick Seemel with its prestigious Air Safety Award for his outstanding leadership in aviation safety. Captain Seemel was honoured with this award at ALPA’s 65th Air Safety Forum held today in Washington, D.C.

A Jazz Aviation pilot for more than 30 years, Captain Seemel is a leader whose work to enhance safety in Canadian aviation has earned him the respect of his fellow pilots and airline management.

“Captain Seemel has devoted his career to improving aviation safety and his hard work has made Jazz a better place for all employees,” said Captain Steve Linthwaite, Vice President – Flight Operations at Jazz. “We thank him for his unwavering commitment to safety and congratulate him on this well-deserved recognition.”

In his role as the Air Safety Coordinator for ALPA Canada, he leads a team of pilot volunteers whose focus is to ensure the highest standards of aviation safety. A strong advocate for safety reporting programs, he assisted in instructing ALPA pilots on the implementation of safety management systems, the non-punitive safety reporting process that has contributed to greatly advance aviation safety in North America.

“Captain Seemel is a dedicated Jazz employee who demonstrates collaboration, teamwork and the pursuit of safety excellence which has benefited us all and will continue to drive our safety culture for years to come,” said Captain Bob Palmer, Vice President – Safety, Quality and Environment at Jazz. “It is an honour to work closely with such a committed safety representative.”

Captain Seemel is a line training captain at Jazz Aviation. He continues to share his world-leading expertise on safety management systems as a member of the International Civil Aviation Organization’s Safety Management Panel, which is currently reviewing and amending international standards.

The ALPA Air Safety Award is presented yearly to recognize outstanding contributions by ALPA members in the field of air safety. ALPA is the world’s largest pilot union, representing more than 62,000 pilots at 35 airlines in Canada and the United States.

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Air Canada Named Favorite Airline in North America at the 2019 The Trazees Awards

Provided by Air Canada/CNW

Awards reflect preference of millennials, the world’s fastest growing travel demographic

MONTREAL, Aug. 7, 2019 /CNW Telbec/ – Air Canada was named Favorite Airline in North America in a survey of global millennial travelers at the 2019 The Trazees awards, an international award that recognizes the best in travel across a broad range of categories by the readers of the popular travel web publication, trazeetravel.com

Air Canada Named Favorite Airline in North America at the 2019 The Trazees Awards (CNW Group/Air Canada) Air Canada Named Favorite Airline in North America at the 2019 The Trazees Awards (CNW Group/Air Canada)

“We are honoured to receive this important recognition from millennial travelers around the world, the fastest growing travel demographic,” said Andrew Yiu, Vice President of Product at Air Canada. “This award solidifies Air Canada as ahead of the curve when it comes to capturing this growing market and as a global leading carrier focused on a superior product offering and excellent customer service. It also complements our award of Best Airline in North America for a Third Straight Year at the recent 2019 Skytrax World Airline Awards.” 

At a ceremony for The Trazees in Chicago, Air Canada was presented the award. Trazee Travel is a web publication aimed at travelers aged 25–40 and part of the FXExpress Publications, Inc. family of publications, which includes Global Traveler and whereverfamily.com. Reader votes for the best in travel across a range of categories were collected December 2018–March 2019.

The Trazees is the latest award to be won by Air Canada, which was rated the Best Airline in North America at the 2019 Skytrax World Airline Awards and remains the only Skytrax Four Star international network carrier in North America. Other recent awards include:

  • Skytrax – World’s Best Business Class Lounge Dining, Best Airline Staff in Canada, Best Business Class in North America and Best Airline Cabin Cleanliness in North America in 2019
  • Global Traveler‘s Leisure Lifestyle Awards – Best Premium-Economy Class and Best for Onboard Entertainment
  • The Freddie Awards’ 210 Award for the airline in the Americas whose loyalty program value vote rating was trending higher, recognizing the growing appeal of Aeroplan
  • PAX International Readership Awards – Outstanding Food Service by a Carrier in North America and Best Business Class Amenity Kit in the Americas
  • TripAdvisor Traveller’s Choice Awards – Best Business Class in North America
  • Business Traveler USA – Best North American Airline for International Travel and Best North American Airline for Inflight Experience
  • Frequent Business Traveler GlobeRunner Awards – Best Airline in the Americas and Best Business Class Airport Lounge (both awards shared with Star Alliance partner United Airlines)

https://www.trazeetravel.com/the-trazees-awards-2019/

FAVORITE INTERNATIONAL AIRLINE
1. American Airlines
2. United Airlines
3. Delta Air Lines
4. Emirates
5. Asiana Airlines

 

FAVORITE AIRLINE ALLIANCE
1. oneworld
2. Star Alliance
3. SkyTeam

 

FAVORITE AIRCRAFT TYPE
1. Airbus A350
2. Boeing 787
3. Boeing 777
4. Airbus A380
5. Airbus A330

 

FAVORITE AIRLINE WEBSITE
1. aa.com
2. united.com
3. delta.com
4. jetblue.com
5. southwest.com

 

FAVORITE FREQUENT-FLYER PROGRAM
1. United MileagePlus
2. American Airlines AAdvantage
3. Delta SkyMiles
4. Alaska Mileage Plan
5. JetBlue TrueBlue

 

FAVORITE AIRLINE IN NORTH AMERICA
1. Air Canada
2. United Airlines
3. Delta Air Lines
4. American Airlines
5. Alaska Airlines

 

FAVORITE LOW-COST AIRLINE
1. JetBlue
2. Norwegian Air
3. Southwest Airlines
4. Spirit Airlines
5. Frontier

 

FAVORITE AIRLINE IN CENTRAL/ SOUTH AMERICA
1. LATAM Airlines Group
2. Avianca
3. Aerolineas Argentinas
4. Aeromexico
5. Copa Airlines

 

FAVORITE AIRLINE IN EUROPE
1. TAP Air Portugal
2. Brussels Airlines
3. Turkish Airlines
4. Austrian Airlines
5. British Airways

 

FAVORITE AIRLINE IN AFRICA
1. South African Airways
2. Kenya Airways
3. Air Namibia
4. Air Seychelles
5. Ethiopian Airlines

 

FAVORITE AIRLINE IN THE MIDDLE EAST
1. Etihad Airways
2. Qatar Airways
3. Emirates
4. EL AL Israel Airlines
5. Royal Jordanian

 

FAVORITE AIRLINE IN ASIA
1. China Southern Airlines
2. Asiana Airlines
3. China Airlines
4. Korean Air
5. Hong Kong Airlines

 

FAVORITE AIRLINE IN MEXICO
1. Interjet
2. Aeromexico
3. Volaris
4. VivaAerobus

 

FAVORITE GREEN AIRLINE
1. United Airlines
2. Lufthansa
3. TAP Air Portugal
4. American Airlines
5. Delta Air Lines

 

FAVORITE AIRLINE APP
1. Delta Air Lines
2. Alaska Airlines
3. United Airlines
4. American Airlines
5. Singapore Airlines

 

FAVORITE OVERALL AIRPORT IN THE WORLD
1. Hamad International Airport, Doha
2. Munich Airport
3. Singapore Changi Airport
4. Incheon Airport
5. San Francisco International Airport

 

FAVORITE AIRPORT IN NORTH AMERICA
1. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
2. Chicago O’Hare International Airport
3. Pittsburgh International Airport
4. San Francisco International Airport
5. George Bush Intercontinental Airport, Houston

 

FAVORITE AIRPORT IN ASIA
1. Singapore Changi Airport
2. Kansai International Airport
3. Tokyo Haneda International Airport
4. Incheon Airport
5. Taipei Taoyuan International Airport

 

FAVORITE AIRPORT IN EUROPE
1. Helsinki Airport
2. Munich Airport
3. Vienna International Airport
4. Zürich Airport
5. Leonardo da Vinci Fiumicino Airport, Rome

 

FAVORITE AIRPORT IN THE MIDDLE EAST
1. Hamad International Airport, Doha
2. Dubai International Airport
3. Abu Dhabi International Airport
4. Bahrain International Airport
5. Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport, Medina

 

FAVORITE AIRPORT IN AFRICA
1. Mohammed V International Airport, Casablanca
2. King Shaka International Airport, Durban, South Africa
3. Cape Town International Airport
4. Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, Nigeria
5. Port Elizabeth International Airport

 

FAVORITE AIRPORT IN CENTRAL/ SOUTH AMERICA
1. Bogotá El Dorado International Airport
2. Montevideo Carrasco International Airport
3. Medellín José María Cordova International Airport
4. Quito International Airport
5. Jorge Chávez International Airport, Peru

 

 

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Determination No. A-2019-156

August 19, 2019
 

APPLICATION by Air Canada also carrying on business as Air Canada Express, as Air Canada rouge and as Air Canada Cargo (Air Canada), on behalf of itself and Omni Air International, LLC (Omni), pursuant to section 60 of the Canada Transportation Act, S.C., 1996, c. 10, as amended (CTA) and section 8.2 of the Air Transportation Regulations, SOR/88-58, as amended (ATR).

 
Case number: 
19-04622
 

APPLICATION

Air Canada, on behalf of itself and Omni, has applied to the Canadian Transportation Agency (Agency) for an approval to permit Air Canada to provide its scheduled international service between Canada and the United States of America using aircraft with flight crew provided by Omni, from September 3, 2019, to October 27, 2019.

Air Canada is licensed to operate scheduled international services in accordance with the Air Transport Agreement between the Government of Canada and the Government of the United States of America signed on March 12, 2007.

In its application filed on August 13, 2019, Air Canada states that it had 190 aircraft on its Air Operator Certificate (AOC) at the time of application.

Air Canada has also requested an exemption from the application of subsection 8.2(2) of the ATR, which requires the filing of an application for an approval at least 45 days before the first planned flight. The Agency finds that compliance with subsection 8.2(2) of the ATR is impractical in this case. Accordingly, the Agency, pursuant to paragraph 80(1)(c) of the CTA, exempts Air Canada from the application of subsection 8.2(2) of the ATR.

 

POLICY

When assessing wet-lease applications where Canadian carriers propose to enter into wet-lease arrangements of more than 30 days with foreign carriers to provide international passenger services, the Agency must apply a direction issued by the Minister of Transport on June 24, 2014, entitled Ministerial Direction for International Service – Canada's Policy for Wet-Leasing (2014 Wet‑Lease Policy), and must specifically ensure that the 20-percent cap is respected at the time of application. The 2014 Wet-Lease Policy also states that the Agency should condition or deny an application if Canadian air carriers do not enjoy reciprocal opportunities to wet lease in the foreign jurisdiction of the lessor.

 

PRELIMINARY MATTER

In its guide Applying for Wet-Lease Approval, the Agency indicated that it "intends to notify the industry in Canada of an application for any wet-lease approval when it deems, at its own discretion, there to be potential issues with respect to reciprocity or other matters not yet addressed by the Agency."

On matters of international reciprocity, the Agency's general practice is that reciprocity by the authorities of the lessor's country of origin, in this case the United States of America, is assumed unless evidence is brought to the contrary. The Agency is not aware of any similar application by a Canadian carrier to the aeronautical authorities of the United States of America that has been denied.

Upon review of the application, the Agency determined that it did not raise issues with respect to reciprocity or other matters not yet addressed by the Agency. Consequently, the Agency did not provide notice to seek comments from industry in respect of the application.

 

ISSUE

Is the Agency satisfied that the application of Air Canada meets the requirements of section 8.2 of the ATR and the criteria of the 2014 Wet‑Lease Policy, specifically the 20‑percent cap?

 

ANALYSIS AND FINDINGS

Section 60 of the CTA requires that a licensee obtain, where prescribed, an approval from the Agency prior to using aircraft with flight crew provided by another person.

Section 8.2 of the ATR sets out the information to be included in an application and the requirements to be met for an approval pursuant to section 60 of the CTA.

Pursuant to the 2014 Wet-Lease Policy, for wet-leases of more than 30 days, a number of aircraft equal to 20 percent of the number of Canadian-registered aircraft on the lessee's AOC may be wet leased from foreign lessors. The Agency notes that at the time of the application, i.e., August 13, 2019, Air Canada had 190 aircraft on its AOC. Therefore, Air Canada's application meets the 20‑percent cap requirement of the 2014 Wet-Lease Policy.

The Agency has considered the application and the material in support and is satisfied that it meets the remaining requirements of section 8.2 of the ATR. The Agency is also satisfied that the application satisfies the criteria of the 2014 Wet-Lease Policy.

Accordingly, the Agency, pursuant to paragraph 60(1)(b) of the CTA and section 8.2 of the ATR, approves the use by Air Canada of aircraft with flight crew provided by Omni, and the provision by Omni of such aircraft and flight crew to Air Canada, to permit Air Canada to provide its scheduled international service on licensed routes between Canada and the United States of America using aircraft and flight crew provided by Omni, from September 3, 2019, to October 27, 2019.

This approval is subject to the following conditions:

  1. Air Canada shall continue to hold the valid licence authority.
  2. Commercial control of the flights shall be maintained by Air Canada. Omni shall maintain operational control of the flights and shall receive payment based on the rental of aircraft and crew, and not on the basis of the volume of traffic carried or other revenue-sharing formula.
  3. Air Canada and Omni shall continue to comply with the insurance requirements set out in subsections 8.2(4), 8.2(5) and 8.2(6) of the ATR.
  4. Air Canada shall continue to comply with the public disclosure requirements set out in section 8.5 of the ATR.
  5. Air Canada and Omni shall advise the Agency in advance of any changes to the information provided in support of the application.
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Jazz Aviation Expands Instructor Pathway with Addition of Toronto Airways Inc. 

 


NEWS PROVIDED BY

Chorus Aviation Inc. 

Aug 21, 2019, 08:00 ET

 

HALIFAX, Aug. 21, 2019 /CNW/ - Jazz Aviation LP ("Jazz"), a subsidiary of Chorus Aviation Inc. ('Chorus') (TSX: CHR), is pleased to announce that it has signed an agreement with Toronto Airways Inc. ("TAI") for the carrier to become the twentieth organization in the Jazz Aviation Pathways Program ("Jazz APP").

"We are very pleased to welcome TAI to the Jazz APP, furthering our commitment to provide a clear pathway for flight instructors across Canada," said Cal Purves, Director, Flight Operations, Jazz. "TAI has a history of developing and promoting professionalism amongst its instructors and students. We are encouraged by their commitment to this new agreement, which will provide excellent opportunities for flight instructors to expand their careers and forge strong futures for the best and brightest in the aviation industry."

The Jazz APP will provide potential employment opportunities for qualifying TAI instructors to transition to first officer positions at Jazz, providing a reliable, high quality source of new hire pilots. Jazz continues to work with industry partners, such as TAI, to find ways to promote the profession and establish career pathways for pilots.

"Toronto Airways is proud to be selected for the Jazz Instructor Pathway Program," said Dave Lorbetskie, Chief Operating Officer, Toronto Airways. "Jazz has supported the aviation training industry for many years. Their progressive approach, and support towards the training of future pilots sets a new industry standard. This agreement provides a clear direction for the future of our Instructors, and a goal for them to work towards."

Through agreements with 14 colleges and universities, including TAI, and six industry organizations, including TAI, the industry-leading Jazz APP provides yet another career pathway for aviation instructors with this latest agreement.

The Jazz APP / Air Canada connection

Jazz is Air Canada's largest and longest-serving regional partner and operates approximately 700 flights a day as an integral part of Air Canada's strategy and North American market presence. Jazz is a proud operator of Air Canada Express service to 81 destinations in Canada and the United States with a fleet of 116 aircraft.

Through Jazz's agreement with Air Canada, a professional pilot career with Jazz provides a faster track to flying for Air Canada mainline. 60% of Air Canada pilot employment offers must go to Jazz pilots and to-date, over 500 Jazz pilots have transitioned to Air Canada under our Pilot Mobility Program.

About the Jazz APP

Since 2007 Jazz has been actively involved in shaping the curriculum and training of Canada's future professional pilots through active engagement with aviation colleges, flight schools and universities. In 2015, Jazz rebranded these efforts under the Jazz Aviation Pathways Program banner. To-date, Jazz has announced agreements between Jazz APP and the following aviation colleges, flight schools, universities and industry organizations:

Educational institutions:

  • Collège Air Richelieu
  • Algonquin College
  • Brampton Flight Centre
  • Centre québécois de formation aéronautique at Cégep de Chicoutimi
  • Conestoga College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning
  • Confederation College
  • Mount Royal University
  • Ottawa Aviation Services
  • Okanagan College
  • Sault College
  • Seneca College
  • Toronto Airways Inc.
  • University of Waterloo
  • Western University

Industry organizations:

  • Air Cadet League of Canada
  • Air Canada
  • Bearskin Airlines
  • EVAS
  • Keewatin Air LP
  • Wasaya Airways

Visit our Jazz APP website: flyjazz.ca/pathwaysprogram
Watch us on YouTube: youtube.com/jazzaviationlp
Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/jazzaviationlp
Connect with us on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/jazz-aviation-lp

Jazz continues to be recognized by our communities as a top employer, and for our operational performance.

  • Canada's Top Diversity Employers (2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013 and 2012)
  • Canada's Top Employers for Young People (2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014 and 2012)
  • Canada's Safest Employers (2018, 2017)
  • Atlantic Canada's Top 25 Employers (2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, and 2012)
  • Nova Scotia's Top 15 Employers (2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, and 2012)
  • North America's top five on-time performing regional airlines (2015 and 2014)
  • Bombardier's Airline Reliability Awards (2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014 and 2013)
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On 8/20/2019 at 11:13 AM, J.O. said:

For Air Canada's sake I hope Omni has upped their game. Reliability has not been one of their strengths.

Omni has been doing the Hawaii operation all summer from YVR for AC. no major issues as far as I know

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Air Canada flight to Vancouver from Shanghai diverted after cracked window paneIn this file photo, an Air Canada Boeing 787 Dreamliner jet departs Halifax Stanfield International Airport in Enfield, N.S. on Friday, May 23, 2014. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Andrew Vaughan

           
     

The Canadian Press
Published Sunday, September 1, 2019 5:42PM EDT

VANCOUVER - Air Canada says a flight from Shanghai to Vancouver was diverted to Tokyo's Narita International Airport after a crack developed in one of the pilot's windows.

The airline says the windows are double-paned and the diversion was essentially a precautionary measure.

The plane was a Boeing 787 carrying 287 passengers.

Air Canada says the passengers are staying in hotels while the aircraft is repaired.

It says the plane is set to leave Tokyo for Vancouver on Monday.

A spokesperson for the airline did not share any information about the cause of the crack.

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Determination No. A-2019-172

September 30, 2019
 

APPLICATION by Air Canada also carrying on business as Air Canada Express, as Air Canada rouge and as Air Canada Cargo (Air Canada), on behalf of itself and Omni Air International, LLC (Omni), pursuant to section 60 of the Canada Transportation Act, S.C., 1996, c. 10, as amended (CTA) and section 8.2 of the Air Transportation Regulations, SOR/88-58, as amended (ATR).

 
Case number: 
19-05494
 

APPLICATION

Air Canada, on behalf of itself and Omni, has applied to the Canadian Transportation Agency (Agency) for an approval to permit Air Canada to provide its scheduled international service between Canada and the United States of America using two aircraft with flight crew provided by Omni, from October 27, 2019, to April 19, 2020.

Air Canada is licensed to operate a scheduled international service in accordance with the Air Transport Agreement between the Government of Canada and the Government of the United States of America signed on March 12, 2007.

In its application filed on September 13, 2019, Air Canada states that it had 190 aircraft on its Air Operator Certificate (AOC) at the time of application.

 

POLICY

When assessing wet-lease applications where Canadian carriers propose to enter into wet‑lease arrangements of more than 30 days with foreign carriers to provide international passenger services, the Agency must apply a direction issued by the Minister of Transport on June 24, 2014, entitled Ministerial Direction for International Service – Canada's Policy for Wet‑Leasing (2014 Wet‑Lease Policy), and must specifically ensure that the 20‑percent cap is respected at the time of application. The 2014 Wet‑Lease Policy also states that the Agency should condition or deny an application if Canadian air carriers do not enjoy reciprocal opportunities to wet lease in the foreign jurisdiction of the lessor.

 

PRELIMINARY MATTER

In its guide Applying for Wet‑Lease Approval, the Agency indicated that it "intends to notify the industry in Canada of an application for any wet‑lease approval when it deems, at its own discretion, there to be potential issues with respect to reciprocity or other matters not yet addressed by the Agency."

On matters of international reciprocity, the Agency's general practice is that reciprocity by the authorities of the lessor's country of origin, in this case the United States of America, is assumed unless evidence is brought to the contrary. The Agency is not aware of any similar application by a Canadian carrier to the aeronautical authorities of the United States of America that has been denied.

Upon review of the application, the Agency determined that it did not raise issues with respect to reciprocity or other matters not yet addressed by the Agency. Consequently, the Agency did not provide notice to seek comments from industry in respect of the application.

 

ISSUE

Is the Agency satisfied that the application of Air Canada meets the requirements of section 8.2 of the ATR and the criteria of the 2014 Wet‑Lease Policy, specifically the 20‑percent cap?

 

ANALYSIS AND FINDINGS

Section 60 of the CTA requires that a licensee obtain, where prescribed, an approval from the Agency prior to using aircraft with flight crew provided by another person.

Section 8.2 of the ATR sets out the information to be included in an application and the requirements to be met for an approval pursuant to section 60 of the CTA.

Pursuant to the 2014 Wet‑Lease Policy, for wet‑leases of more than 30 days, a number of aircraft equal to 20 percent of the number of Canadian registered aircraft on the lessee's AOC may be wet leased from foreign lessors. The Agency notes that at the time of the application, i.e., September 13, 2019, Air Canada had 190 aircraft on its AOC. Therefore, Air Canada's application meets the 20‑percent cap requirement of the 2014 Wet-Lease Policy.

The Agency has considered the application and the material in support and is satisfied that it meets the requirements of section 8.2 of the ATR. The Agency is also satisfied that the application satisfies the criteria of the 2014 Wet-Lease Policy.

Accordingly, the Agency, pursuant to paragraph 60(1)(b) of the CTA and section 8.2 of the ATR, approves the use by Air Canada of two aircraft with flight crew provided by Omni, and the provision by Omni of such aircraft and flight crew to Air Canada, to permit Air Canada to provide its scheduled international service on licensed routes between Canada and the United States of America using two aircraft and flight crew provided by Omni, from October 27, 2019, to April 19, 2020.

This approval is subject to the following conditions:

  1. Air Canada shall continue to hold the valid licence authority.
  2. Commercial control of the flights shall be maintained by Air Canada. Omni shall maintain operational control of the flights and shall receive payment based on the rental of aircraft and crew and not on the basis of the volume of traffic carried or other revenue-sharing formula.
  3. Air Canada and Omni shall continue to comply with the insurance requirements set out in subsections 8.2(4), 8.2(5) and 8.2(6) of the ATR.
  4. Air Canada shall continue to comply with the public disclosure requirements set out in section 8.5 of the ATR.
  5. Air Canada and Omni shall advise the Agency in advance of any changes to the information provided in support of the application

 

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Determination No. A-2019-184

October 11, 2019
 

APPLICATION by Air Canada also carrying on business as Air Canada rouge and as Air Canada Cargo (Air Canada), on behalf of itself, Hong Kong Dragon Airlines Limited (Dragonair) and Cathay Pacific Airways Limited (Cathay Pacific), pursuant to section 60 of the Canada Transportation Act, S.C., 1996, c. 10, as amended (CTA), and section 8.2 of the Air Transportation Regulations, SOR/88-58, as amended (ATR).

 
Case number: 
19-05734
 

Air Canada, on behalf of itself, Cathay Pacific and Dragonair, has applied to the Canadian Transportation Agency (Agency) for an approval to permit Air Canada to provide its scheduled international service between Canada and each of the following countries: Thailand and Vietnam by selling transportation in its own name on flights operated by Cathay Pacific and Dragonair between Hong Kong and each of the following countries: Thailand and Vietnam, for an indefinite period.

Air Canada is licensed to operate a scheduled international service in accordance with the Arrangement between the Government of Canada and the Government of the Kingdom of Thailand set out in an Agreed Minute signed on June 22, 2017.

Air Canada is licensed to operate a scheduled international service in accordance with the Agreement between the Government of Canada and the Government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam on Air Transport, signed on September 28, 2004.

The Agency has considered the application and the material in support and is satisfied that it meets the remaining requirements of section 8.2 of the ATR.

Accordingly, the Agency, pursuant to paragraph 60(1)(b) of the CTA and section 8.2 of the ATR, approves the use by Air Canada of aircraft with flight crew provided by Cathay Pacific and Dragonair, and the provision by Cathay Pacific and Dragonair of such aircraft and flight crew to Air Canada, to permit Air Canada to provide its scheduled international service on licensed routes between Canada and each of the following countries: Thailand and Vietnam by selling transportation in its own name on flights operated by Cathay Pacific and Dragonair between Hong Kong and each of the following countries: Thailand and Vietnam, for an indefinite period from the date of this Determination.

This approval is subject to the following conditions:

  1. Air Canada shall continue to hold the valid licence authority.
  2. Air Canada shall apply its published tariffs, in effect, to the carriage of its traffic. Nothing in any commercial agreement between the air carriers relating to limits of liability shall diminish the rights of passengers as stated in such tariffs.
  3. The air service approved shall only be provided as long as a code-sharing agreement providing for such service remains in effect.
  4. Air Canada, Cathay Pacific and Dragonair shall continue to comply with the insurance requirements set out in subsections 8.2(4), 8.2(5) and 8.2(6) of the ATR.
  5. Air Canada shall continue to comply with the public disclosure requirements set out in section 8.5 of the ATR.
  6. Air Canada, Cathay Pacific and Dragonair shall provide the Agency with a copy of any new agreement or amendments to their code-sharing agreement, including any new or amended annex, without delay.
  7. Air transportation using Air Canada's code on flights operated by Cathay Pacific and Dragonair between Hong Kong and each of the following countries: Thailand and Vietnam, shall not be sold separately and shall only be available to traffic carried on a continuous journey under Air Canada's code between Canada and each of the following countries: Thailand and Vietnam.
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Determination No. A-2019-193

October 28, 2019
 

APPLICATION by Air Canada also carrying on business as Air Canada rouge and as Air Canada Cargo (Air Canada), on behalf of itself and Air Transat A.T. Inc. carrying on business as Air Transat (Air Transat), pursuant to section 60 of the Canada Transportation Act, S.C., 1996, c. 10, as amended (CTA), and section 8.2 of the Air Transportation Regulations, SOR/88-58, as amended (ATR).

 
Case number: 
19-06403
 

Air Canada, on behalf of itself and Air Transat, has applied to the Canadian Transportation Agency (Agency) for an approval to permit Air Canada to provide its scheduled international service between Canada and each of the following countries: Mexico and Costa Rica, using two aircraft with flight crew provided by Air Transat, beginning on December 1, 2019 to May 31, 2020.

Air Canada is licensed to operate a scheduled international service, large aircraft, in accordance with the Agreement between the Government of Canada and the Government of the United Mexican States on Air Transport, signed on February 18, 2014.

Air Canada is also licensed to operate a scheduled international service, large aircraft, in accordance with the Agreement between the Government of Canada and the Government of the Republic of Costa Rica on Air Transport, signed on August 11, 2011.

The Agency has considered the application and the material in support and is satisfied that it meets the requirements of section 8.2 of the ATR.

Accordingly, the Agency, pursuant to paragraph 60(1)(b) of the CTA and section 8.2 of the ATR, approves the use by Air Canada of two aircraft with flight crew provided by Air Transat, and the provision by Air Transat of such aircraft and flight crew to Air Canada, to permit Air Canada to provide its scheduled international service on licensed routes between Canada and each of the following countries: Mexico and Costa Rica, using two aircraft and flight crew provided by Air Transat, beginning on December 1, 2019 to May 31, 2020.

This approval is subject to the following conditions:

  1. Air Canada shall continue to hold the valid licence authority.
  2. Commercial control of the flights shall be maintained by Air Canada. Air Transat shall maintain operational control of the flights and shall receive payment based on the rental of aircraft and crew and not on the basis of the volume of traffic carried or other revenue-sharing formula.
  3. Air Canada and Air Transat shall continue to comply with the insurance requirements set out in subsections 8.2(4), 8.2(5) and 8.2(6) of the ATR.
  4. Air Canada shall continue to comply with the public disclosure requirements set out in section 8.5 of the ATR.
  5. Air Canada and Air Transat shall advise the Agency in advance of any changes to the information provided in support of the application.
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https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/air-canada-reports-third-quarter-2019-results-848344321.html

 

Stock market liked the results - pushed AC over $47/share

 

Air Canada Reports Third Quarter 2019 Results Français


 

  • Record third quarter operating revenues of $5.553 billion
  • Operating income of $956 million
  • EBITDA of $1.472 billion, up 9 per cent over the prior year's third quarter 
  • Record unrestricted liquidity of $7.355 billion and leverage ratio of 0.8

MONTREAL, Oct. 29, 2019 /CNW Telbec/ - Air Canada today reported third quarter 2019 EBITDA(1) (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and impairment) of $1.472 billion compared to third quarter 2018 EBITDA of $1.351 billion, an increase of $121 million or 9 per cent. The airline reported third quarter 2019 operating income of $956 million compared to third quarter 2018 operating income of $923 million 

"I am pleased to report an excellent third quarter for Air Canada, in which we generated record operating revenues of close to $5.6 billion and reached record liquidity of nearly $7.4 billion. Impressive as such strong results are on their own, they are even more meaningful given that we achieved them despite the serious disruption to our operations and to our cost structure created by the Boeing 737 MAX grounding. Our record performance is a testament to the resourcefulness, skill and dedication of the entire Air Canada team, and I applaud and thank them for their hard work taking care of our customers since the Boeing 737 MAX grounding occurred," said Calin Rovinescu, President and Chief Executive Officer of Air Canada. 

"During the quarter, our airline delivered on key metrics. This included EBITDA of $1.472 billion, an increase of 9 per cent from the previous year, higher operating income, and improved yields. Our leverage ratio(1) was 0.8 at the quarter's end, a decrease of 50 per cent from December 31, 2018. The significant progress we have made on our balance sheet was recognized in the third quarter and, earlier this year, by upgrades from major debt rating agencies, advancing us to one level below our goal of investment grade status.

"Through great effort and teamwork, we have successfully managed through the extremely challenging 737 MAX grounding for nearly eight months now, most recently adjusting our schedule to remove the aircraft until February 14, 2020 and wet leasing two Airbus A330 aircraft to ensure we have sufficient capacity this winter. However, the removal of a scheduled 36 737 MAX aircraft during our peak summer season exacted a toll from a financial, route, product, and human resources perspective and the grounding is preventing us from realizing our full potential," said Mr. Rovinescu.

"I nonetheless remain confident that if regulators unground the aircraft near-term, our on-going transformation will quickly regain its previous trajectory. For this reason, we have chosen at this time not to adjust our long-term financial targets presented at our last Investor Day. Much of my confidence flows from the professionalism our employees have demonstrated throughout this year since the aircraft was grounded, as well as the strong loyalty shown by our customers, and I thank both groups for their commitment to and support of Air Canada.

"As well, we were extremely pleased to see that during the third quarter Transat A.T. shareholders approved the definitive acquisition agreement with Air Canada, by a vote of nearly 95 per cent. This overwhelmingly favourable vote underscores the numerous benefits for all stakeholders from the proposed merger, which now remains subject to applicable regulatory approvals and customary conditions."

Third Quarter Income Statement Highlights

Air Canada began consolidating Aeroplan's financial results on the date of the acquisition of Aeroplan, January 10, 2019. Air Canada adopted accounting standard IFRS 16 - Leases effective January 1, 2019 and restated 2018 amounts (including for period-over-period comparisons).

On a capacity reduction of 2.1 per cent, record third quarter system passenger revenues of $5.164 billion increased $146 million or 2.9 per cent from the same quarter in 2018. The increase in system passenger revenues was driven by a yield improvement of 4.8 per cent, partly offset by a traffic decrease of 1.8 per cent. System yield in the third quarter of 2019 improved due to the constrained capacity resulting from the grounding of the Boeing 737 MAX aircraft as well as a generally improved pricing environment, mainly in North America. The yield increases also included additional revenues from Aeroplan flight redemptions and other revenues subsequent to the Aeroplan acquisition on January 10, 2019.  

In the third quarter of 2019, operating expenses of $4.597 billion increased $105 million or 2 per cent from the third quarter of 2018. Air Canada's cost per available seat mile (CASM) increased 4.5 per cent from the third quarter of 2018. The airline's adjusted CASM(1) increased 9.3 per cent over the same quarter in 2018. These increases reflected, in large part, the impact of the Boeing 737 MAX aircraft grounding which resulted in a system ASM decline of 2.1 per cent versus planned system ASM growth of approximately 3 per cent, in addition to creating higher costs associated with replacement aircraft, and on-going operating expenses, including depreciation and pilot wages, that continued to be incurred in relation to the Boeing 737 MAX aircraft despite their grounding. Given that the Aeroplan loyalty business was not consolidated in Air Canada's financial results in 2018, for a more meaningful comparison of the cost performance of the on-going airline business, Air Canada's adjusted CASM for the third quarter and first nine months of 2019 excludes the operating expenses of Aeroplan.

Air Canada's third quarter EBITDA of $1.472 billion was 9 per cent higher than the third quarter of 2018, and better than the increase of approximately 5 per cent projected in Air Canada's news release dated July 30, 2019. This better than expected EBITDA performance was primarily driven by a lower fuel price per litre than what Air Canada had previously assumed in its guidance.

Third quarter 2019 net income amounted to $636 million or $2.35 per diluted share compared to third quarter 2018 net income of $702 million or $2.55 per diluted share. The third quarter of 2019 included foreign exchange gains of $27 million while the third quarter of 2018 included foreign exchange gains of $145 million. Air Canada reported adjusted net income(1)  of $613 million or $2.27 per diluted share in the third quarter of 2019 compared to adjusted net income of $580 million or $2.10 per diluted share in the third quarter of 2018.  

Financial and Capital Management Highlights

At September 30, 2019, unrestricted liquidity (cash, cash equivalents and short and long-term investments, and undrawn lines of credit) amounted to a record $7.355 billion (September 30, 2018  $5.309 billion).  

At September 30, 2019, net debt of $2.999 billion decreased $2.215 billion from December 31, 2018, reflecting an increase in cash, cash equivalents and short and long-term investment balances of $1.654 billion and a decrease in long-term debt and lease liabilities of $561 million. At September 30, 2019, Air Canada's leverage ratio was 0.8 versus a ratio of 1.6 at December 31, 2018.

Net cash flows from operating activities of $834 million increased $284 million from the third quarter of 2018. In the third quarter of 2019, free cash flow(1) of $533 million decreased $64 million from the third quarter of 2018. In the third quarter of 2018, Air Canada received proceeds of $293 million from the sale and leaseback of 25 Embraer aircraft while no such proceeds were received in the third quarter of 2019. In the third quarter of 2019, the increase in cash flows from operating activities over the third quarter of 2018 was partly offset by an increase in capital expenditures of $55 million. Excess cash amounted to $2.683 billion at September 30, 2019. Refer to section 6.1 "Liquidity" of Air Canada's Third Quarter 2019 MD&A for additional information on excess cash.

For the 12 months ended September 30, 2019, return on invested capital (ROIC(1)) was 15.5 per cent, significantly higher than Air Canada's weighted average cost of capital of 7.2 per cent. 

Normal Course Issuer Bid

In the third quarter of 2019, Air Canada purchased, for cancellation, a total of 2,111,800 shares at an average cost of $43.15per share for aggregate consideration of $91 million (6,426,287 shares at an average cost of $38.87 per share for aggregate consideration of $250 million for the first nine months of 2019). At September 30, 2019, a total of 20,533,751 shares remained available for repurchase under Air Canada's issuer bid which is scheduled to expire May 30, 2020.

Full Year 2019 Outlook and 2020-21 Investor Day Targets

As indicated in its October 16, 2019 news release, Air Canada removed Boeing 737 MAX flying from its schedule until February 14, 2020. Final decisions on returning the Boeing 737 MAX aircraft to service will be based on Air Canada's safety assessment following the lifting of government safety notices and approval by regulatory authorities.  

Air Canada's projected capital expenditures, discussed in section 6.6 of Air Canada's Third Quarter 2019 Management's Discussion and Analysis of Results, reflect Air Canada's assumption that the remaining 12 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft previously scheduled for delivery 2019 will now be delivered in 2020. Air Canada continues to expect the 14 737 MAX aircraft scheduled for 2020 to be delivered in 2020.

For the full year 2019, Air Canada projects the following:

  • EBITDA margin (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and impairment, as a percentage of operating revenue) of approximately 19.0 per cent 
  • ROIC of between 15.5 per cent and 16.0 per cent 
  • Free cash flow of between $1.3 billion to $1.5 billion. 
    Free cash flow for 2019 is being positively impacted by a number of factors, including the deferral of the delivery of 12 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft from 2019 to 2020, lower capital expenditures across many different areas (mainly timing-related), a stronger working capital performance, the impact of aircraft lease extensions which defers the end of lease maintenance obligation, and the favourable impact of higher cash and investment balances on net interest expense.  
  • A leverage ratio not exceeding 1.0 at December 31, 2019 (measured by net debt over trailing 12-month EBITDA) 

The financial guidance provided in Air Canada's news release dated February 28, 2019 for the years 2020 and 2021 with respect to annual EBITDA margin and annual ROIC, as well as the cumulative free cash flow over the 2019-2021 period, remains in place.  

Major Assumptions

Assumptions were made by Air Canada in preparing and making forward-looking statements (including EBITDA margin, ROIC and free cash flow guidance referred to above for the years 2020 and 2021).  

As part of its assumptions, for 2019, Air Canada assumes:

  • Modest Canadian GDP growth for the fourth quarter and full year 
  • That the Canadian dollar will trade, on average, at C$1.33 per U.S. dollar in the fourth quarter and full year 
  • That the price of jet fuel will average 77 CAD cents per litre in the fourth quarter and full year 

Air Canada's assumptions as they pertain to the 2020-to-2021 period are provided in Air Canada's news release dated February 28, 2019. Air Canada's guidance for 2020 and 2021 also assumes the return to service of the Boeing 737 MAX aircraft in the first quarter of 2020.  

It is premature to assess what the impact of Air Canada's acquisition of Transat A.T. would be, and it is therefore not factored into Air Canada's guidance.  

The outlook provided constitutes forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws and is based on a number of assumptions (including those provided above) and subject to a number of risks. Please see the section below entitled "Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Information".

 

 

Edited by dagger
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.

Air Canada plans to hire 350 pilots ahead of eventual Boeing 737 Max return

Airline had to cancel relatively few flights after Max grounding, but needed to lease planes

Tue Oct 29, 2019 - CBC News

Air Canada's shares hit an all-time high Tuesday even though its earnings fell slightly below expectations last quarter as the grounding of the Boeing 737 Max continues to weigh down the country's largest airline.

The Montreal-based company's earnings fell slightly below expectations last quarter, but shares hit a high of $48.09 on the Toronto Stock Exchange and sat at about four per cent or $1.83 at $47.55 in mid-afternoon trading.

Chief executive Calin Rovinescu said once authorities lift the airspace ban it could take up to a year for all 50 Max jetliners slated to be in operation by mid-2020 to hit the skies. Air Canada says it plans to hire 350 pilots next year in anticipation of the return of the Boeing 737 Max

"This is a process that will indeed be gradual. This is not an overnight process," he said.

Rovinescu cited "the serious disruption to our overall operations and to our cost structure and profitability" caused by the now eight-month grounding of the 24 Max planes in its fleet and 12 more that had been slated for delivery by mid-2019.

"The removal of thirty-six 737 Max aircraft, or about 24 per cent of our narrow-body fleet, from our schedule during our peak summer season exacted a toll," he said on a conference call with analysts Tuesday.

Rovinescu's reiteration of the "extremely challenging and complex situation" of the 737 Max came less than an hour before Boeing CEO Dennis Muilenburg sat down for withering questions from U.S. senators about two fatal crashes and whether the company concealed information about a critical flight system.

"We have made mistakes, and we got some things wrong," Muilenburg conceded.

While the carrier covered more than 95 per cent of planned flying in the third quarter, it was forced to lease two Airbus A330s on top of leases and life extensions for other aircraft that are less fuel efficient than the Max 8.

The Max 737 has been grounded since a March crash in Ethiopia, which occurred just over four months after another model went down off the coast of Indonesia. A total of 346 people died in the two incidents, with 18 Canadians killed in the Ethiopian crash.

Air Canada has removed the Max from its flight schedule until at least Feb. 14, while WestJet Airlines Ltd. has ruled the aircraft's return until Jan. 4 but is mulling an extension.

'Gradual' process of reintegration expected

The 12 undelivered Max aircraft now sit on Boeing lots, delaying Air Canada's hiring of pilots — the company currently has about 400 Max pilots, relegated to training for the time being. Fourteen more Max 8s were slated for delivery in the first half of 2020, but may now be pushed back.

The company will be able to remove about 15 planes from its fleet over the next 12 to 15 months, on top of the two A330s, chief financial officer Michael Rousseau estimated.

"This is a process that will indeed be gradual. This is not an overnight process," Rovinescu said, noting it could be up to a year after the airspace ban is scrapped before all 50 Max jetliners are in operation.

Analyst Walter Spracklin of RBC Dominion Securities said the effects of the grounding were to be "most significantly felt" in third quarter, when capacity is tightest.

However, he said the cost impact was not as bad as had been expected.

"The key takeaway in this quarter from our perspective is that Air Canada has demonstrated that it can successfully manage a significant external event through better pricing and nimble cost management to achieve strong results," Spracklin said in a note to investors.

Rare decline in capacity

Doug Taylor, an analyst with Canaccord Genuity, highlighted how "the company has been able to effectively pass the added costs through to customers."

Net income fell nine per cent year over year to $636 million in the quarter ended Sept. 30. Revenue dropped three per cent to $5.53 billion.

On an adjusted basis, earnings per diluted share rose to $2.27, up from $2.10 a year earlier but below analyst expectations of $2.34, according to financial markets data firm Refinitiv.

Aircraft fuel, which comprises close to one-quarter of Air Canada's operating expenses, cost the company $1.09 billion last quarter, 11 per cent less in the third quarter of 2018.

The company saw capacity decline year over year for the first time in several years, but expects capacity growth of three per cent in the fourth quarter, said chief commercial officer Lucie Guillemette.

Revenue from high-yield business cabin passengers increased by $33 million or nearly four per cent year over year.

Domestic passenger revenues rose by $123 million or nearly nine per cent despite a slight capacity reduction, with a new fare category adding to a higher yield.

Rovinescu said he hopes Air Canada's acquisition of Transat A.T. Inc., which shareholders approved overwhelmingly in August, will receive regulatory approval by mid-2020 following heavy scrutiny from the Competition Bureau.

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  • 2 weeks later...

Air Canada to operate three services from Montreal with leased A330-200

News provided by The Blue Swan Daily – line to full story

November 8, 2019

Air Canada plans to operate the following frequencies with A330-200 equipment leased from Air Transat during the winter 2019 and 2020 season (Routes Online, 07-Nov-2019):

  • Montreal-Cancun: Daily from 01-Dec-2019;
  • Montreal-Puerto Vallarta: Three times weekly from 15-Dec-2019;
  • Montreal-San Jose (Costa Rica ) Four times weekly from 17-Dec-
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