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Clive Claims 'Low Blow' Over AC Suit


Lakelad

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WestJet CEO accuses Air Canada of hitting low in espionage lawsuit

November 10, 2004 - 16:28

MONTREAL (CP) - The chief executive of Calgary-based WestJet Airlines has accused rival Air Canada of striking a "low blow" by naming him in a corporate espionage case.

"It's a pretty low blow to try to personalize this; Mr. Milton's lowered the bar I suppose," Clive Beddoe said, referring to Air Canada CEO Robert Milton. It was Beddoe's first public reaction to Air Canada's filing of court documents last week that accused Beddoe of knowing his airline was involved in corporate espionage against its bigger rival.

Beddoe and four other WestJet executives were added to the list of defendants in a $220-million lawsuit that claims WestJet gained access to a sensitive Air Canada website that was useful to the discount airline.

"This is a very petty lawsuit," Beddoe added after a speech. "This is blown out of all proportion and it's designed to discredit us."

Beddoe said he agreed it was not appropriate to gain access to Air Canada's website but added the information is readily available from other sources.

He also suggested his airline may soon introduce a fuel surcharge to help cover the rising cost of fuel.

Beddoe said there would be an announcement this week or next and that the hike would probably be in the range of $5 to $15 per ticket, depending on length of flight.

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Looks like somebody is really squirming here.

Very much so. AC recently comes across correspondence that makes it look as if Clive was--despite his earlier denials--very much aware of what Mark Hill had been up to, and thus adds Clive's name to the lawsuit. Never mind the merit, as this, in Clive's book, is "petty".

In the news piece I just saw, Clive was no longer bothering to deny that he had known about Hill's escapades. Has he abondoned that line? Interesting.

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WestJet CEO accuses Air Canada of hitting low in espionage lawsuit

November 10, 2004 - 16:28

MONTREAL (CP) -

....

Beddoe said he agreed it was not appropriate to gain access to Air Canada's website but added the information is readily available from other sources.

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