MONTREAL, Oct. 16, 2019 /CNW Telbec/ - Air Canada said
today that it has now removed the Boeing 737 Max from its flying
schedule until February 14, 2020. The
decision is based on operational considerations for the airline, as
it launches a new reservation system beginning next month.
"Today we are extending to February 14,
2020 the removal of the Boeing 737 Max from our operating
schedule. We are taking this prudent step as a result of the
ongoing regulatory uncertainty about the timing of the aircraft
returning to service. The extension will give us scheduling
predictability through the implementation of the first phase of our
new reservation system and the required stability as we prepare the
second phase of the system roll-out, introducing it into the
airport environment," said Lucie
Guillemette, Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial
Officer at Air Canada. "As a result of these and other measures we
are taking, including leasing two additional wide-body aircraft
through at least the March Break, customers can continue to book
with full confidence on Air Canada."
In compliance with a safety notice closing Canadian airspace
issued by Transport Canada on March 13,
2019, Air Canada grounded its fleet of 24 Boeing 737 MAX
aircraft. Final decisions on returning the 737 MAX to service will
be based on Air Canada's safety assessment following the lifting of
government safety notices and approval by international regulatory
authorities.
CAUTION REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING
INFORMATION
Air Canada's public
communications may include forward-looking statements within the
meaning of applicable securities laws. These statements may
involve, but are not limited to, comments relating to preliminary
results, guidance, strategies, expectations, planned operations or
future actions. Forward-looking statements, by their nature, are
based on assumptions, are subject to important risks and
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things, changing external events and general uncertainties of the
business. Actual results may differ materially from results
indicated in forward-looking statements due to a number of factors,
including the factors identified in this news release and in Air
Canada's public disclosure file available at www.sedar.com. The
forward-looking statements contained in this news release represent
Air Canada's expectations as of the date of this news release and
are subject to change after such date. However, Air Canada
disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any
forward-looking statements whether because of new information,
future events or otherwise, except as required under applicable
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About Air Canada
Air Canada is Canada's largest domestic and international
airline serving nearly 220 airports on six continents. Canada's flag carrier is among the 20 largest
airlines in the world and in 2018 served nearly 51 million
customers. Air Canada provides
scheduled passenger service directly to 62 airports in Canada, 53 in the
United States and 101 in Europe, the Middle
East, Africa, Asia, Australia, the Caribbean, Mexico, Central
America and South America.
Air Canada is a founding member of
Star Alliance, the world's most
comprehensive air transportation network serving 1,250 airports in
195 countries. Air Canada is the
only international network carrier in North America to receive a Four-Star ranking
according to independent U.K. research firm Skytrax, which also
named Air Canada the 2019 Best Airline in North America. For more information, please
visit: aircanada.com/media, follow @AirCanada on Twitter and join
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Internet: aircanada.com
SOURCE Air Canada