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Air Abrasion Melbourne FL, Air Abrasion Palm Bay, Air Abrasion Aurora,... melbournecosmeticdentist.... | Bethesda Air Abrasion, Rockville Air Abrasion, Gaithersburg Air... bethesdasedationdentistry... |
Air Canada (TSX: AC.A, TSX: AC.B) is Canada's largest airline and flag carrier. The airline, founded in 1936, provides scheduled and charter air transportation for passengers and cargo to 96 destinations worldwide. Its largest hub is Toronto Pearson International Airport in Ontario. Its main base is Montreal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport in Quebec. Air Canada is the world's 8th largest passenger airline by fleet size, and the airline is a founding member of Star Alliance, an alliance of 21 member airlines formed in 1997.[2][3] Air Canada's corporate headquarters are located in the Saint-Laurent area of Montreal, Quebec.[4] The airline's parent company is the publicly traded firm ACE Aviation Holdings. Air Canada had passenger revenues of $9.7 billion in 2008 Canada's national airline originated from the Canadian federal government's 1936 creation of Trans-Canada Airlines (TCA), which began operating its first transcontinental routes in 1938. In 1965, TCA was renamed Air Canada following government approval. Following the 1980s deregulation of the Canadian airline market, the airline was privatized in 1988. In 2001, Air Canada acquired its largest rival, Canadian Airlines. In 2006, 34 million people flew with Air Canada as the airline celebrated its 70th anniversary. Air Canada operates a fleet of Boeing 777, Boeing 767, and Airbus A330 wide-body jetliners on long-haul routes, and utilizes Airbus A320 family aircraft, including the A319, A320, and A321 variations and Embraer E170/E190 family aircraft on short-haul routes. The carrier's subsidiaries include Air Canada Cargo, ground support services, and regional airline partners, including Air Canada Jazz (which is now completely spun-off) and Air Canada Jetz. Air Canada also provides vacation packages to over 90 destinations via Air Canada Vacations. Together with its regional carriers, the airline operates on average more than 1,375 scheduled flights a day.[5]
[edit] History[edit] Trans-Canada Airlines Air Canada's predecessor, Trans-Canada Airlines (TCA), was created by legislation of the federal government as a subsidiary of Canadian National Railway (CNR) on 10 April 1936. The newly created Department of Transport under Minister C. D. Howe desired an airline, under government control, to link cities on the Atlantic coast to the Pacific coast. Using $5 million (CAD) in government seed money, two Lockheed L-10 Electras and one Boeing Stearman biplane were purchased from Canadian Pacific Airlines.[6] Experienced airline executives from United Airlines and American Airlines were brought in.[7] Passenger operations began on 1 September 1937, with an Electra carrying two passengers and mail from Vancouver to Seattle, a $14.20 round trip.[7] On 1 July 1938, TCA hired its first flight attendants.[8] Transcontinental routes from Montreal to Vancouver began on 1 April 1939, using 12 Lockheed L-14 Super Electras and six Lockheed L-18 Lodestars.[6] By January 1940 the airline had grown to about 500 employees.[8]  In 1942, Canadian Pacific Airlines suggested merging with TCA. Prime Minister Mackenzie King rejected the proposal and introduced legislation regulating TCA as the only airline in Canada allowed to provide transcontinental flights. With the increase in air travel after World War II, CP Air was granted one coast-to-coast flight, and a few international routes.[7] Originally headquartered in Winnipeg, which was also the site of the national maintenance base, the federal government moved the headquarters to Montreal in 1949; the maintenance base later also moved east. With the development of the ReserVec in 1953, Air Canada became the first airline in the world to use a computer reservation system with remote terminals. By 1964, TCA had grown to become Canada's national airline, and in 1964 Jean Chrétien submitted a private member's bill to change the name of the airline from Trans-Canada Airlines to Air Canada. This bill failed, but it was later resubmitted and passed, with the name change taking effect on 1 January 1965.[6] [edit] 1970s In 1975 Air Canada was headquartered at 1 Place Ville-Marie in Montreal.[9] In the late 1970s, with reorganization at CNR, Air Canada became an independent Crown corporation. [edit] The 1980s and 1990sIn the 1980s Air Canada's debt grew as it upgraded its fleet and purchased regional airlines such as Air BC and Air Nova. A recession also added to yearly losses, $15 million in 1982.[7] Deregulation of the Canadian airline market, under the new National Transportation Act, 1987 officially opened the airline market in Canada to equal competition.[10] In 1988 Air Canada was privatised, and 43% of its shares are sold on the public market.[6] On 7 December 1987, Air Canada became the first airline in the world to have a fleet-wide non-smoking policy,[11] and in 1989 became completely privatised.[6] It sold the enRoute card business to Diners Club in 1992.[12] Air Canada is a founding member of the Star Alliance, which was launched in May 1997. The airline code-shares with several of the alliance's members.  On 2 September 1998 pilots for Air Canada launched the company's first pilots' strike.[13] At the end of 1999 the Canadian government relaxed some of the aviation regulations, aimed at creating a consolidation of the Canadian airline industry. [edit] 21st centuryIn January 2001 Air Canada acquired Canada's second largest air carrier, Canadian Airlines, subsequently merging the latter's operations into its own. As a result, Air Canada became the world's twelfth-largest commercial airline.[6] [edit] Bankruptcy and restructuringOn 1 April 2003, Air Canada filed for bankruptcy protection; it emerged from this protection on 30 September 2004, 18 months later.[14]  During the period of bankruptcy protection, the company was subject to two competing bids from Cerberus Capital Management and Victor Li. The Cerberus bid would have seen former Prime Minister Brian Mulroney installed as chairman, being recruited by Cerberus' international advisory board chair Dan Quayle, himself the former vice president of the United States. Cerberus was rejected because it had a reputation of changing existing employee pension agreements, a move strongly opposed by the CAW. At first, Air Canada selected Victor Li's Trinity Time Investments, which initially asked for a board veto and the chairmanship in return for investing $650 million in the airline. Li, who holds dual citizenship from Canada and Hong Kong, later demanded changes to the pension plan (which was not in his original takeover bid), but since the unions refused to budge, the bid was withdrawn. Finally, Deutsche Bank unveiled an $850-million financing package for Air Canada, if it would cut $200 million in annual cost cutting in addition to the $1.1 billion that the unions agreed on in 2003. It was accepted after last-minute talks between CEO Robert Milton and CAW president Buzz Hargrove got the union concessions needed to let the bid go through.[6][15][16] In October 2004, Canadian singer, Celine Dion became the face of Air Canada, hoping to relaunch the airline, and draw in a more international market after an eighteen month period of bankruptcy protection.[17] She recorded her single, You and I, which subsequentely appeared in several Air Canada commercials.[18] ACE Aviation Holdings is the new parent company under which the reorganised Air Canada is held.[19]  [edit] Fleet modernizationOn 31 October 2004, the last Air Canada Boeing 747 flight landed in Toronto from Frankfurt as AC873, ending 33 years of 747 service with the airline. The Boeing 747-400 fleet was replaced by the Airbus A340 fleet.[20] On 19 October 2005, Air Canada unveiled a new aircraft colour scheme and uniforms. A Boeing 767-300 was painted in the new silver-blue colour, and the green tail was replaced with a new version of the maple leaf known as the 'Frosted Leaf.' On 9 November 2005, Air Canada entered into an agreement to renew its widebody fleet with Boeing by purchasing 18 Boeing 777s (10 -300ERs, 6 -200LRs, 2 777 Freighters), and 14 Boeing 787-8s. It also placed options to purchase an additional 18 Boeing 777s and 46 Boeing 787-8s and -9s.[21] All of the 777s will be powered by the GE90-115B engine, and the 787-8s, by the GEnx engine.[22] Deliveries of the 777s began in March 2007 and deliveries of the 787s are to begin in 2012. As the 777s are delivered, and as the 787s are delivered, it will gradually retire all Boeing 767s and A340s.[23]  On 24 April 2007, Air Canada announced that it has exercised half of its options for the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. The firm order for the Dreamliners is now at 37 plus 23 options, for a total of 60. This makes Air Canada the largest customer of the Dreamliner in North America and the third largest in the world (behind Qantas and All Nippon Airways). It also announced that it has cancelled orders for two Boeing 777Fs. In November 2007, Air Canada announced that it will lease an additional Boeing 777-300ER from ILFC. Air Canada has now taken delivery of the 18 Boeing 777s on order (12 -300ERs, 6 -200LRs) and still holds options for 16 more, totaling 34.[24][25] Air Canada has also taken delivery of 15 Embraer 175s and 45 Embraer 190s. It holds options on an additional 60 Embraer 190s[26] These aircraft are being used to expand its intra-Canada and Canada/USA routes. Additionally, some of the Embraer 190s will replace older A319/A320s. [edit] Project XMStarted in July 2006, and now completed, Project XM: Extreme Makeover, is a $300-million aircraft interior replacement project to install new cabins on all aircraft. New aircraft such as the Boeing 777 are being delivered with the new cabins factory installed.[27]  New cabin features include:[28][29][30][31][32]
[edit] Financial problemsSince the late 2000s, Air Canada has been facing a number of financial difficulties, including the global recession, leading to speculation that it could file for bankruptcy.[33] President and CEO Montie Brewer was replaced by Calin Rovinescu effective 1 April 2009.[34] Rovinescu would become the first Canadian President since Claude Taylor in 1992. Rovinescu was Air Canada's chief restructuring officer during its 2003 bankruptcy, and is reported to be "an enforcer".[35] [edit] Destinations  Main article: Air Canada destinations Air Canada flies to 15 domestic destinations and 81 international destinations in 33 countries (including British overseas territories, Kingdom of the Netherlands, Overseas departments and territories of France and United States territories) across Asia, Americas, Europe and Oceania. Air Canada has flown a number of 5th freedom routes (passenger and cargo rights between 2 non-Canadian destinations), only one of which is still operated (Santiago-Buenos Aires, during the winter season). Past 5th freedom routes have included: London Heathrow-Bombay-Singapore, London Heathrow-Delhi, London Heathrow-Nice, London Heathrow-Dusseldorf, Zurich-Delhi, Paris-Geneva, Honolulu-Sydney, and Honolulu-Melbourne
On November 9, Air Canada announced that it's regional partner, Air Canada Jazz, will begin daily, nonstop service from Ottawa to Iqaluit. With this new service, Air Canada and its partners will serve every province and territory in Canada. [edit] FleetThe Air Canada fleet consists of 202 aircraft, as of 14 August 2009.[28] All aircraft are now fitted with the new interior, except 3 B767-300ERs, which will soon service all economy class routes to Athens and Barcelona. The new interior is a revamp of the cabin and the installation of individual video displays in both executive first and economy classes.
*Executive Class is offered on domestic flights, Executive First on international flights.
[edit] Historic fleetIn 1963, Air Canada claimed to be the first major air carrier to have adopted turbine technology on its entire fleet for lower maintenance costs and higher productivity. It also claimed to be the first world airline to introduce jet freighter service using DC-8 equipment.[11][44] Air Canada was also one of the first airlines to have its entire fleet of unpressurised aircraft equipped with fixed oxygen systems for use by flight crew and passengers, using the rebreathing bag principle.
  The following is a list of aircraft that Air Canada has operated since 1937, and are now no longer in the fleet.
[edit] On boardAir Canada has two classes of service on all aircraft. On longhaul international routes, Executive First and Economy Class are offered. Shorthaul and domestic routes feature Executive Class and Economy Class. Air Canada Jazz features two classes of service, Executive and Economy Class, on CRJ-705 aircraft only. All other Jazz aircraft are one class service (Economy Class). [edit] Executive First Suites (international) Executive First / Executive First Suites is Air Canada’s international business class product. Executive First Suites (Project XM) are available on all A330-300, B777-300ER and B777-200LR aircraft and all but three B767-300ER aircrafts. The original Executive First class is available on the other three B767-300ER aircraft. Executive First Suites (Project XM) feature electronic flat beds, in a 1–1–1 (B767-300ER and A330-300s) or 1–2–1 (all other aircraft) herringbone configuration with a 21-inch (0.533 m) seat width and a 6-foot-3-inch (1.91 m) seat pitch. The configuration is similar in layout to Virgin Atlantic's Upper Class Suite and Air New Zealand's Business Premier Class product. Entertainment is personal AVOD (Audio Video On Demand), while music is provided by XM satellite radio. Self-service bar areas and mood lighting are available on all B777-300ER and B777-200LR aircraft. Executive First (Original) features electronic recliner seats reclining to 151°, with a width of 21 inches (0.53 m) and a pitch of 57 to 60 inches (1.4 to 1.5 m). Seat configuration is 1–2–2 or 2–2–1 seating on the 767-300ER aircraft, depending on tail fin. Entertainment provided is personal DVD player.  [edit] Executive Class (domestic)Executive Class is Air Canada’s North American domestic first-class product. Seat configuration varies between 1–2 (Embraers and Canadair-705s) or 2–2 (Airbuses). Recline is around 120° (Embraers and Canadair-705s) or 124° (Airbuses), with a width of 20 inches (0.51 m) (Embraers and Canadair-705s) or 21 inches (0.53 m) (Airbuses) and a pitch of 37 inches (0.94 m) (Canadair-705s) to 39 inches (0.99 m) (Embraers and Airbuses). All seats feature AVOD and the new style cabin interiors. Music is provided by XM Satellite Radio. [edit] Economy Class (international)  Seats are pitched 31 inches (0.79 m) to 34 inches (0.86 m) with a width of 17.2 inches (0.44 m) to 18.5 inches (0.47 m) and a recline to around 6 inches (0.15 m). On aircraft fitted with Economy Class (Project XM), entertainment is personal AVOD (audio-video on demand). On Economy Class (Original) aircraft, main screen entertainment is offered. Music on both types is provided by XM Satellite Radio. [edit] Economy Class (domestic)For flights to North America, Sun destinations, and the Caribbean, food and beverage is provided via the Onboard Café: [edit] Cabin crewAir Canada has made a change in uniform by changing the dark green for a midnight blue colour. The uniforms were designed by Canadian fashion designer Debbie Shuchat. At a presentation in the Toronto Pearson International Airport hangar, Celine Dion helped the newly-solvent airline debut its new image.[49] [edit] Maple Leaf LoungeThese lounges are open to passengers holding Executive First, or Executive Class tickets. Super Elite, and Star Alliance Gold passengers can also use the lounges. Prestige passengers may have access for a small fee, and so can members of Air Canada Maple Leaf Club, who pay for an annual membership.[50] Select fare (Tango Plus & Latitude) and destination combinations purchased on Air Canada's website will also be given the option to add Maple Leaf Lounge access at the time of ticket holding. [edit] AeroplanMain article: Aeroplan Aeroplan is Air Canada's frequent flier program. Miles are awarded to members, and can be used to purchase tickets on any Star Alliance airline, or other partners, such as some hotel chains. Unlike competing frequent flyer miles however, members must use their miles in a timely fashion, as the credits expire annually (if no transactions occurred within that year). [edit] Subsidiaries[edit] Air Canada Cargo
In Toronto, a new cargo terminal was completed in early 2002 which features modernised inventory and conveyor systems.[51] [edit] Air Canada Ground Handling ServicesAir Canada Ground Handling Services (ACGHS) provides ground handling services to Air Canada, Jazz and a number of other carriers at their Canadian and US stations, but mainly at Canadian stations. Services covered include "above and below the wing" passenger and baggage handling services and ancillary services such as de-icing, ground support and equipment maintenance.[52] (Subsidiary of Air Canada)[53][54] [edit] Aveos Fleet Performance Inc.Formerly ACTS (Aero Technical Support & Services Inc.), Aveos is a full-service Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) organisation that provides airframe, engine and component maintenance and various ancillary services to more than 100 customers. Major bases are in Montreal, Toronto, Winnipeg and Vancouver. ACE Aviation Holdings Inc. (TSX:ACE.A) owns 75 per cent of Air Canada (TSX:AC.B) and 27.8 per cent of ACTS, after selling its remaining stake in 2007 to private equity firms Kohlberg Kravis Roberts and Co. and Sageview Capital for $723 million. On 23 September 2008, ACTS, formerly Air Canada Technical Services, changed its name to Aveos Fleet Performance Inc. to reflect its new ownership structure. Air Canada remains its largest customer.[55] [edit] Air Canada VacationsAir Canada Vacations offers sun, cruise and leisure vacation packages to the Caribbean, Florida, Hawaii, Mexico, Las Vegas, Central and South America, and Asia. (Subsidiary of Air Canada)[54][56] [edit] Regional partnersAir Canada's regional partners include Air Canada Jazz, Exploits Valley Air Services (EVAS),[57] Air Georgian, and Central Mountain Air. [edit] Air Canada JetzLaunched in 2002, Air Canada Jetz is a charter service targeting sports teams, professional entertainers, and corporations. Air Canada Jetz fleet consists of 5 A320 aircraft in an all business class configuration.[58] [edit] Former subsidiaries
[edit] Corporate affairs[edit] Headquarters Air Canada Centre,[63] also known as La Rondelle ("The Puck" in French), is the corporate headquarters of Air Canada, located on the grounds of Montréal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport and in Saint-Laurent, Montreal. In 1994 David Israelson of the Toronto Star described the facility as "ultra modern."[64] In 1990 the airline announced that it was moving its headquarters from Downtown Montreal to the airport to cut costs.[65] In 2004 the company said that it has no plans to move its headquarters back to Downtown Montreal.[66] [edit] ExecutivesCEO and President
[edit]Air Canada has codeshare agreements with:[67] Note: * indicates Star Alliance partners; Air Canada is one of the founding members of Star Alliance. [edit] Incidents and accidents
[edit] References
[edit] External links
Categories: Companies listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange | Star Alliance | Air Canada | Airlines of Canada | Airlines established in 1965 | IATA members | Air Transport Association of Canada | Companies based in Montreal | Former Crown corporations of Canada | Canadian brands | Wikipedia requested photographs in Quebec | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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