AC BY THE NUMBERS

Air Canada is reporting that for the month of September, it had a system load factor of 83.2%, versus 84.9% in September 2012, and a system load factor for the third quarter of 86.2%, versus a record of 86.3 per cent for the quarter last year.
System traffic for September increased 1.9% on a system-wide capacity increase of 3.9%. Air Canada reports traffic results on a system-wide basis, including Air Canada rouge, which began operations on July 1, 2013, and regional airlinesáfrom which Air Canada purchases capacity.
Calin Rovinescu, Air Canada\’s president and CEO, commented: \”I am pleased to report solid traffic results for the month of September, led by strong gains of almost six per cent in the Pacific market.\”
He noted that: \”For the third quarter, our load factor of 86.2% is in line with last year\’s all-time high for the same period and is a strong indication of the effectiveness of our capacity management strategy given the increase in industry capacity that came into the markets in the quarter.\”
And Rovinescu continued: \”Based on our third quarter load factor, and coupled with the ongoing positive results of our cost transformation and revenue enhancement initiatives, we expect EBITDAR (excluding the impact of benefit plan amendments in 2012) and adjusted net income for the third quarter to be above last year\’s level for the same period.\”
AC\’s president and CEO said: \”Our achievements in September are the result of our ongoing focus on the execution of our priorities. During the month, we successfully completed the refinancing of our 2010 notes, an important milestone in achieving our priorities as this significantly lowers our cost structure, strengthens our balance sheet and improves our credit profile.\”
And he added: \”We also announced the implementation of an expanded commercial agreement with Air China, our valued Star Alliance partner, for enhanced codeshare and interline services that provide our customers seamless connections on a single itinerary for travel via our respective hubs to new destinations in China and in Canada.\”
He pointed out that: \”This year\’s Ipsos Reid Business Traveller Survey released in September confirms that Canada\’s frequent business travellers recognize Air Canada as their preferred airline by a growing margin – the widest margin versus our domestic competitors since 2008. This recognition by our most discerning customers reflects Air Canada\’s award-winning product and our employees\’ focus on taking care of our customers while transporting them safely to their destination.\”
For more, go to http://www.aircanada.com .