Air Canada Announces Executive Appointments, Organizational Structure

Air Canada President and Chief Executive Officer, Robert Milton, today announced a number of executive appointments and confirmed the Corporation's organizational structure following the completion of the financial restructuring of Canadian Airlines.

``What I am announcing today is another step in our evolution towards becoming a truly global player in the continually expanding world of travel related services,'' said Robert Milton in a message to Air Canada and Canadian Airlines employees. ``In order to accomplish this, the top level of the organization has been grouped into five main areas. Together, they recognize the strength of our core airline business, as well as the desire to create or build upon new travel related businesses in the future.''

The operations group of executives report to Mr. Milton directly while the other four branches are led by the following Air Canada executives: Lise Fournel, Executive Vice President, Commercial; Eileen McCoy, Executive Vice President, Customer Service; Calin Rovinescu, Executive Vice President, Corporate Development & Strategy; and Rob Peterson, Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer.

Mr. Milton also announced the appointment of a number of executives at Air Canada and Canadian Airlines. Within the Corporate Development & Strategy branch, Steve Markey has been appointed Vice President, Government Relations and Regulatory Affairs reporting to Doug Port, Senior Vice President, Corporate Affairs & Government Relations. Mr. Markey was formerly Senior Vice President, Corporate & Government Affairs at Canadian Airlines.

Three other executives at Canadian Airlines will be assuming positions within Air Canada or its subsidiaries. Their appointments will be made in future announcements. These individuals are: Mary Jordan, presently Senior Vice President, Customer Service & Operations; Frances Fiorillo, presently Vice President, Human Resources; and Ken Goosen, presently Vice President, Maintenance & Engineering.

In addition, two Canadian Airlines executives will assume transitional responsibilities in their respective fields: Haydn Acheson, presently Vice President, Flight Operations, will assume the role of Vice President, Operations acting as Chief Operations Manager for Canadian Airlines during the transition as long as there are separate operating certificates for the two airlines. Kevin Howlett, Vice President, Labour Relations, will report to Sue Welscheid, Air Canada's Vice President, People, during the transition. In September, he will join Air Canada Regional as its Vice President, Labour Relations.

In today's announcement, Mr. Milton also confirmed that Paul Brotto, President and Chief Executive Officer of Canadian Airlines will assume a senior executive position within Air Canada upon completion of his assignment at Canadian Airlines.