Overview - June 2002
Air Canada together with its regional airline subsidiary, Air Canada Jazz, provides scheduled and charter air transportation for passengers and cargo to more than 150 destinations, vacation packages to over 90 destinations, as well as maintenance, ground handling and training services to other airlines.
Canada's flag carrier is recognized as a leader in the global air transportation market by pursuing a strategy based on value-added customer service, technical excellence and passenger safety.
Air Canada has been ranked as the world's safest airline in an independent analysis by air safety consultants of more than 500 airlines using ten management and environment criteria. In a 2002 survey of the world's most frequent air travellers, conducted by travel information publisher OAG, Air Canada was voted best airline in North America for the second time in three years, and Air Canada's frequent flyer program, Aeroplan, was voted best in the world. In 1999, Air Canada was selected as best passenger service airline in the world by Air Transport World Magazine. In addition, the readers of Business Traveler International have chosen Air Canada as their preferred airline to Canada for the past ten consecutive years.
In 2000, Air Canada acquired Canadian Airlines International, Canada's second largest air carrier, thus becoming the world's twelfth largest commercial airline. During the year 2000, integration of Air Canada and Canadian Airlines proceeded with the launch of an integrated commercial operating schedule, integration of computer systems, consolidation of labour agreements, harmonization of products and services, and adoption of a single frequent flyer program, Aeroplan, in January 2001.
Air Canada's predecessor, Trans-Canada Airlines (TCA) inaugurated its first flight on September 1, 1937. The 50-minute flight aboard a Lockheed 10A carried two passengers and mail between Vancouver and Seattle. By 1964, TCA had grown to become Canada's national airline; it changed its name to Air Canada. The airline became fully privatized in 1989.
Air Canadas Network
Air Canada provides scheduled and chartered passenger jet service directly to 20 Canadian cities, 35 destinations in the United States and 47 cities in Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Australia, the Caribbean, Mexico and South America. Air Canada operates on average 740 scheduled flights each day, and serves approximately 23 million scheduled and charter customers annually.
In November 2001, Air Canada launched a separately branded no-frills air service called Tango by Air Canada to complement the mainline carrier's full service operations on many domestic routes. Tango offers travellers a popular low fare alternative featuring a unique "all extras are optional" in-flight service. In April 2002, Air Canada announced that it will launch ZIP, a low fare carrier based in Calgary operating primarily short haul routes with connections to and from Air Canada's worldwide network.
Air Canada's extensive global network, schedules and customer services are enhanced through its membership in the Star Alliance network with Lufthansa, SAS, Thai Airways International, United Airlines, VARIG, Air New Zealand, All Nippon Airways, Austrian Airlines Group, Singapore Airlines, Mexicana and bmi british midland. Together, Star Alliance carriers serve 729 airports in 124 countries.
Air Canada Jazz
Air Canada's wholly-owned regional airline, Air Canada Jazz, and its commercial partners serve an additional 61 Canadian and 19 U.S. cities using a combined fleet of 140 aircraft. The airline operates on average 900 flights per day and serves approximately 8 million customers annually. This important regional airline plays a vital role in providing connecting traffic to the Air Canada network as well as meeting the needs of local customers.
Customer Service Highlights
Executive First, Air Canada's award-winning international executive class service, offers first class comfort at business class fares and is available on most transatlantic and all transpacific routes. Air Canada's new personalized Concierge service is available for Executive First and Aeroplan Super Elite customers at major Canadian, US and international airports.
Air Canada offers electronic ticketing on virtually all of its North American routes, and is expanding this convenient service to include international destinations as well.
In 1999, Air Canada became the first airline in Canada to introduce the convenience of self-serve check-in kiosks at major airports across Canada.
Air Canada's Maple Leaf Lounges welcome Executive First and Executive Class ticket holders, as well as Aeroplan Super Elite and Elite members, Star Alliance Gold cardholders and Diners/ enRoute Maple Leaf Club cardholders. The more than 20 quiet, comfortable lounges offer a selection of newspapers and magazines as well as complimentary beverages. They are ideal for customers who want to work or relax before a flight.
Many of these lounges offer state-of-the-art business centres. The Xerox Business Centres offer a complete range of leading-edge business equipment and computers, modern furnishings and high-speed Internet accessibility.
Air Canada offers its longhaul customers the convenience of freshening up after overnight flights at its arrivals lounges at London Heathrow and Vancouver airports. These lounges have private shower facilities as well as valet services for clothes pressing and shoe cleaning, Xerox business centres, dining areas for continental breakfast, and quiet lounge areas.
Air Canada's frequent flyer program, Aeroplan, is Canada's most popular. Over 6 million members earn miles toward reward travel to destinations served by Air Canada, its regional airlines and worldwide partner airlines. Aeroplan miles earned on Star Alliance flights count toward achieving top-tier membership status. In addition, members earn miles through an extensive network of car rental companies, hotels, telephone companies and affinity credit card companies.
Destina.ca
Destina.ca is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Air Canada. It operates Canada's full-service online travel site offering low prices and one-stop access to 450 airlines, 53,000 hotels and 52 car rental agencies. Destina.ca is the only online travel site to reward all purchases with Aeroplan Miles. Destina.ca offers customers a personalized web experience and fully bilingual customer care to assist with all online purchases 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Air Canada Vacations
This major Canadian tour operator, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Air Canada, offers vacation packages (including air transportation, hotel accommodation, car rentals, cruises and ski vacations) to more than 90 destinations in North America, and the Caribbean. Some 110,000 passengers travelled with Air Canada Vacations in 2001.
Cargo Network
Air Canada's Cargo division provides direct cargo service to more than 150 Air Canada destinations and to most countries worldwide through interline partners. Cargo services offered include guaranteed choice of flight, and airport-to-airport services for high priority shipments (Express 30, Express 60, Express 90-t and Express 90-I).
Air Canada provides cargo services on all its passenger aircraft including the Boeing 747-400 Combi aircraft which will carry cargo in the rear of the main deck. It is the largest supplier of air cargo services to Canada Post Corporation.
Technical Services
Air Canada offers customers worldwide a diverse range of technical expertise in the maintenance, repair and overhaul of aircraft, engines, components and various ground and test equipment.
Air Canada also sells ground-handling services to airlines and other customers, as well as training services for mechanics, flight attendants and pilots.
Employees
Air Canada employs approximately 40,000 people worldwide including 4,400 at Air Canada Jazz.
Fleet
Air Canadas fleet consists of 347 aircraft**
Wide-body jets Narrow-body jets
7 Boeing 747s 41 Airbus A319s
51 Boeing 767s 48 Airbus A320s
11 Airbus A340-300s 6 Airbus A321s
8 Airbus A330-300s 28 Boeing 737s
25 Canadair Regional Jets
77 Total 148 Total
Total ** Including the Air Canada Jazz fleet of 122 aircraft.
Key Executives
John Fraser
Chairman of the Board Robert Milton
President and Chief Executive Officer
Montie R. Brewer
Executive Vice President, Commercial Paul Brotto
Executive Vice President, Planning and Cost Management
Rob Giguere
Executive Vice President, Operations Rob Peterson
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Calin Rovinescu
Executive Vice President, Corporate Development and Strategy Rupert Duchesne
President, Aeroplan
Lise Fournel
President and Chief Executive Officer, Destina.ca Allister Paterson
President and Chief Operating Officer, Air Canada Vacations
Joe Randell
President, Air Canada Jazz Steve Smith
President and Chief Executive Officer, ZIP Air Inc.
Robin Wohnsigl
President, Air Canada Technical Services John Baker
Senior Vice President and General Counsel
Ross MacCormack
Senior Vice President, International and Alliances Doug Port
Senior Vice President, Customer Service
Alice Keung
Vice President, Information Technology and Chief Information Officer
Financial Profile
Financial Data
Year ended December 31 - Consolidated Figures 2001
Operating revenue $9,611 million
Operating income (loss) before
non-recurring labour expenses $(731) million
Operating income (loss) $(731) million
Revenue passenger miles (RPMs) 43,723 million
Available seat miles (ASMs) 60,637 million
Passenger load factor (PLF) 72.1 per cent
Overview is produced by:
Air Canada Centre 1235, P.O. Box 14,000, Dorval, Québec
CANADA H4Y 1H4
Internet: www.aircanada.ca
