Air Canada has completed reinforcing the
cockpit doors on all 221 of its aircraft in service. With the installation of
the new cockpit security bars on a Boeing 747-400 aircraft at Toronto`s
Pearson Airport last night, Air Canada mechanics completed the flight deck
security enhancement program in 26 days, four days ahead of schedule.

“Reinforcement of cockpit doors is yet another example of the security
measures that Air Canada has undertaken on board our aircraft and at
airports,” said Captain Rob Giguere, Executive Vice President, Operations.
“The professionalism and skill demonstrated by our engineering and maintenance
employees, the on-going support of our pilots and the speed with which the
program was completed demonstrate Air Canada`s commitment to the safety and
security of our customers and employees.”
The airline`s engineering teams worked around the clock to design,
produce and install the reinforcement bars. All work related to the security
enhancement program was undertaken by Air Canada at its major maintenance
bases in Montreal, Toronto, Winnipeg, Calgary and Vancouver.

Air Canada is the first airline in Canada to initiate a flight deck
security enhancement program, while a decision from the federal government on
funding of onboard security measures remains outstanding. In addition, the
airline has requested that the government expand the presence of armed RCMP
agents currently on flights to Reagan National Airport by supporting a
Canadian Sky Marshal program. The U.S. government has already committed to
funding onboard security enhancements including USD$500 million in support of
the airline industry for increased cockpit security.

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