Air Canada continues to support relief efforts in Haiti by dispatching its second dedicated aircraft full of medical and humanitarian relief supplies on Saturday January 23, 2010. The flight to Port-au-Prince is coordinated with Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada (DFAIT), the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), the ONEXONE Foundation, World Vision and Health Partners International Canada.

Over the course of Air Canada’s two relief missions, Air Canada will have delivered over 55,000 kgs of relief supplies to Haiti.

“Along with our many relief partners, Air Canada is privileged to be able to operate a second humanitarian operation to Haiti,” said Duncan Dee, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Air Canada. “Our employees have once again rallied together to deliver much needed supplies to the people of Haiti as well as bringing Canadians home.”

All available space in the belly and in the passenger cabin of the Airbus A330 aircraft to be operated Saturday, January 23rd, will be used to transport medical supplies for World Vision, Health Partners International Canada, the ONEXONE Foundation and goods for the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Canadian Embassy. Supplies have also been donated by the Ottawa Hospital and pharmaceutical companies Apotex and Fresenius Kabi Canada. Also on board will be a group of nurses from the Montréal Jewish General Hospital, as well as ONEXONE Foundation relief workers.

Breakdown of cargo on board Air Canada’s humanitarian flight on Saturday, January 23 is as follows: Approximately 20,000 kgs of medical and pharmaceutical supplies, 10,000 kgs of water, 3,500 kgs of food, and 2,000 kgs of tents and other supplies such as generators.

The donated Air Canada aircraft and volunteer crew are scheduled to depart for Port-au-Prince Saturday evening at 17:45 ET from the carrier’s cargo hangar in Toronto. The return flight, scheduled to arrive in Montréal early morning on Sunday, January 24, will be used to transport evacuees, in collaboration with DFAIT and the Canadian Embassy in Port-au-Prince.

The Air Canada Airbus A330 aircraft has a cargo capacity of approximately 35,000 kgs and seating for 265 passengers.

In addition, all proceeds from Air Canada’s on-board donation program, Every Bit Counts, will be directed to registered relief agencies in support of Haiti.

Air Canada, through its community investment program Kids’ Horizons, has committed to undertake a long-term humanitarian project with a Canadian charity to assist children in Haiti as part of the re-building efforts that will be necessary.