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Non-Tech : Air Canada (ACNAF) -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Anthony Wong who wrote (254)	4/1/1998 4:52:00 PM
From: g.b.88	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 270

Anthony, This is the kind of news we need. AIR CANADA TO PURCHASE DOWNTOWN MONTREAL BUILDING, CONSOLIDATE STAFF AND FACILITIES MONTREAL, April 1 /CNW/ - Air Canada announced today its decision to purchase a Montreal office building to consolidate its downtown staff and facilities. Currently, the airline and its subsidiary, Air Canada Vacations, have three separate leased locations in the downtown area. Closing of the purchase of 5100 de Maisonneuve Boulevard West is scheduled for April 17, 1998. Purchase price of the building is $9.3 million. ''Our decision to purchase and subsequently invest in a dedicated downtown facility reflects Air Canada's on-going commitment to employment in the Montreal area,'' said R. Lamar Durrett, President and Chief Executive Officer. ''Montreal is Air Canada's hometown and we're proud to contribute to the economic well-being of the downtown business community.'' By the end of 1998, Air Canada will have created approximately 200 new Aeroplan call centre jobs in Montreal since March 1997. Indeed, one reason for the move is to accommodate growth at the airline in response to a significant increase in Air Canada customers and Aeroplan members. Approximately 600 employees of Air Canada and its subsidiary, Air Canada Vacations, work in downtown Montreal. The majority of these Air Canada employees are Aeroplan and reservations call centre staff. ''Air Canada will save significant operating costs by purchasing dedicated facilities rather than continuing to lease,'' said Jean-Jacques Bourgeault, Senior Executive Vice President. ''Moreover, by consolidating our facilities and people under one roof, we will provide our employees with an environment which will contribute to increased operating efficiency for the airline.'' Refurbishment of facilities, to bring them to Class A standard, as well as installation of call centre telecommunications equipment will begin mid-April 1998. Air Canada and Air Canada Vacations staff will move to the new facility in stages, beginning late fall 1998, as current lease obligations permit. The 201,000 square foot, seven story building, located next to the Vendome train and metro stations, was built in 1985 by Candrel. Air Canada is a fully-privatized airline offering customers over 660 destinations in more than 110 countries.