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Air Canada welcomes U.S. DOT final approval

July 13, 2009, Montreal – Air Canada has welcomed the decision by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to approve the formation of a transatlantic alliance between Air Canada, Continental Airlines, Lufthansa and United Airlines. In its decision, the DOT granted antitrust immunity to the four carriers that allows them to develop an integrated joint venture and strengthen their transatlantic network, creating substantial new service options and fare benefits for customers.

"We welcome the DOT's final approval today that facilitates Air Canada moving forward with the formation of a transatlantic alliance with our partners Continental, Lufthansa and United," said Ben Smith, Air Canada's Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer. "Transatlantic travel represents the world's largest international air transportation market. Obtaining antitrust immunity is a critical step in allowing us to cooperate more fully in order to offer our customers more value, choice and simplicity when making their transatlantic travel plans. Working with our partners, Air Canada's presence in this important market will be enhanced and our competitive position will be strengthened with improved access to an extended global network when the transatlantic alliance is implemented. Air Canada customers will benefit from more options between Canada and Europe, Africa, the Middle East, India, the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) and western Russia."

Air Canada will continue to cooperate with regulatory authorities in other jurisdictions as required to ensure compliance of the transatlantic alliance arrangements, as the carrier and its partners prepare to move forward as an integrated joint venture in the months to come.