Air Canada reports Dec-2010 traffic highlights

System traffic increased 7.2 per cent on a system wide capacity increase of 7.6 per cent. Air Canada reports traffic results on a system basis, including regional airlines from which Air Canada purchases capacity.

"For the month of December and full year 2010, Air Canada recorded load factors of 80.8 and 81.7 per cent, respectively," said Calin Rovinescu, President and Chief Executive Officer. "These strong results, including an all-time record for the full year 2010, were achieved as we continued to increase utilization of our existing fleet and deploy capacity to pursue strategic opportunities in international markets. In December, led by 23.8 per cent traffic growth in the Pacific, we recorded a system wide traffic increase of 7.2 per cent, the twelfth consecutive month of traffic increases.

"I am proud of our employees who demonstrated their professionalism and care for our customers while maintaining a safe operation during the peak holiday travel period impacted by significant weather-related issues in Europe, the United States and Canada. I want to thank them for achieving both Customer Satisfaction and On-Time Performance objectives for the month despite these challenges. It is especially rewarding that our customers have recognized these efforts and have ranked Air Canada as the Best North American airline in recent readership surveys conducted by two international business magazines for the second consecutive year."

In 2010 readership surveys, Global Traveler magazine readers voted Air Canada Best Airline in North America, and Business Traveler magazine readers voted Air Canada as the top airline in North America for Best Flight Attendants, Best In-Flight Services, Best Business Class Service, Best North American Airline for International Travel, as well as for Best Airline Web Site.