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To: vds4 who wrote (678)	12/6/2001 2:07:50 PM
From: Al Collard	Respond to of 4470

AC-t...in the news: Media Advisory - Air Canada to Hold Media Teleconference Call on Proposal for Unrestricted Open Skies with U.S. MONTREAL, Dec. 6 /CNW/ - Air Canada will hold a media teleconference call today to discuss the airline's proposal to foster a competitive airline environment in Canada through the creation of an unrestricted single aviation market with the United States. Robert Milton, President and Chief Executive Officer, will chair the teleconference call. Details are as follows: MEDIA TELECONFERENCE CALL Date: THURSDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2001 Time: 3:30 P.M. ET Call: 1-800-478-9326 Replay: Available one hour after the call until midnight December 8, by dialing 1-800-408-3053 and entering passcode 992600. A press release will be issued on the wire prior to the teleconference.

To: vds4 who wrote (678)	12/6/2001 6:48:25 PM
From: Al Collard	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 4470

AC-t...in the news: Air Canada proposes open skies agreement Thu 6 Dec 2001 News Release Mr. Robert Milton reports Air Canada today proposed a full open skies agreement between Canada and the United States creating an unrestricted, single aviation market with the United States as the preferred option to fostering a competitive airline environment in Canada. The airline outlined its proposal in a letter today to Transport Minister Collenette and U.S. Transportation Secretary Mineta. Air Canada's proposal follows on Minister Collenette's statement earlier this week that the government would look at options such as "more foreign competition, modified sixth freedoms or cabotage" as an alternative to reregulation to increase competition in the Canadian domestic market. The proposal takes those suggestions further in advocating a single aviation market for Canada and the U.S. "We need a market solution as a means to foster a competitive environment in the Canadian domestic market," said Robert Milton, president and chief executive officer. "While we had previously indicated to the Minister of Transport that we might be open to a domestic reregulation of all carriers operating in the country if that was government policy, that is clearly not the preferred option for ensuring a competitive, efficient industry. Furthermore, we would not support reregulation if it involved any expropriation or indirect transfer of our market share, routes or assets. We do not believe a truly competitive environment can be developed in Canada by resorting to outmoded regulatory remedies such as limiting the number of carriers allowed to serve a market or a particular route, imposing frequency, capacity or pricing restrictions or nationalizing the flag carrier. "For this reason, in a letter to the Minister and U.S. Transportation Secretary Mineta today, I have urged the two governments to build on the success story of the 1995 Canada-U.S. open skies agreement by progressively removing all restrictions in order to arrive at a fully integrated, common air transport market with the United States," said Mr. Milton. Unlike the open skies agreements the United States has concluded with over 50 other countries, the Canada-U.S. open skies agreement maintains restrictions in the following areas: fifth freedom rights for passengers and all-cargo operations; the right for all-cargo carriers to serve points in the other country on a co-terminal basis; and full routing and pricing flexibility on all air service operations, especially to third countries. "The restrictions to the 1995 open skies agreement were put in place due to Canadian concerns on the impact open skies with the U.S. could have on the airline industry in this country," said Mr. Milton. "The landscape has changed dramatically since then. As the past six years have proven, the liberalization of air policy between the two countries has been overwhelmingly positive for consumers and carriers on both sides of the border. U.S. carriers have long sought greater liberalization in many of these areas and as North America's seventh largest carrier, Air Canada joins them in seeking these changes. Furthermore, a fully liberalized open skies agreement including the exchange of modified sixth freedom opportunities leading to full continental cabotage rights will fully respond to the concerns of all stakeholders concerned with Air Canada's dominance of the Canadian industry," he added. A number of academics and industry analysts have advocated allowing Canadian and U.S. carriers the rights to carry local domestic traffic through their own hubs -- often referred to as "home-country cabotage" or "modified sixth freedom" as a means to increase competition in the Canadian market. Air Canada strongly supports this initiative as a transitional step toward the establishment of a fully integrated and common air transport market with the U.S. granting both Canadian and U.S. carriers the right to carry domestic traffic from each other's country over their respective hubs will bring immediate benefits to consumers and airlines on both sides of the border. As a result, Canadian consumers would have access to travel between Canadian points on United Airlines and American Airlines by way of Chicago, Northwest Airlines over Detroit and Minneapolis and Delta Air Lines over Cincinnati. American consumers would have access to travel between U.S. points on Air Canada by way of Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver. At the same time, the flow of U.S. traffic over Canadian airport hubs would be attractive to both airlines and passengers as a means to avoid the congestion at major U.S. hubs. Consistent with the sentiments expressed by the Canadian and U.S. governments in concluding the recent joint statement of co-operation on border security and regional migration issues, a new Canada-U.S. open skies plus agreement as outlined above would further strengthen the already close economic relationship between the two countries. It would also be consistent with existing air transportation regimes in the European Union and in Australia-New Zealand. "In the post-Sept. 11 environment, air carriers worldwide are seeking opportunities to enhance revenues," said Mr. Milton. "Moreover, the industry is expected to see significant consolidation, especially in the U.S. Liberalization of the 1995 agreement will provide U.S. and Canadian carriers access to more markets while at the same time increase efficiencies and provide for a more competitive environment through enhanced domestic service options for consumers. Reregulation of the Canadian industry will therefore become moot. "Air Canada has proven time and time again that it can compete successfully and effectively with the very best. Our success in the transborder market is a case in point. We believe that creating a single aviation market is a win-win solution. It will boost both business and tourism. It will provide the ultimate solution to fostering a competitive airline industry for the benefit of Canadian consumers and the industry," concluded Mr. Milton.