MONTREAL, Sept. 23 /CNW/ - In celebration of its 65th anniversary, Air
Canada is flying the nation`s flag high from coast to coast. Unveiled today in
the presence of several hundred Air Canada employees at Toronto`s Pearson
International Airport, the specially painted Airbus A320 aircraft depicting
Canada`s national flag will be visible for all to see as it starts flying to
cities across Canada and the United States on Tuesday September 24, 2002. The
spectacular livery, covering all 37.6 metres (123.25 feet) of the aircraft,
has been named “Symphony of Voices” in recognition of the more than 40,000 Air
Canada employees who contributed their names to form the unique design marking
the carrier`s anniversary. The aircraft will keep its new livery for at least
three years.

“All of the signatures on this anniversary aircraft are testament to a
company which represents the best of Canada`s airline industry,” said Robert
Milton, President and Chief Executive Officer. “They come from a truly diverse
group of people, representing different parts of Canada, different backgrounds
and even different airlines. That too is a part of Air Canada`s history and it
is gratifying to see how far we have come in joining together and working
together, as one airline with a focus on our customers and a collective will
to proudly serve as Canada`s flag carrier for many more anniversaries to
come.”

The Symphony of Voices red Maple Leaf, one of which spans each side of
the white aircraft fuselage, is comprised of approximately 22,000 names of Air
Canada employees. Listed in alphabetical order, the names are approximately
15 mm (5/8”) in height and are painted Air Canada red.

Air Canada`s predecessor, Trans-Canada Airlines (TCA), inaugurated its
first flight on September 1, 1937. The 50-minute flight aboard a Lockheed 10A
carried two passengers and mail between Vancouver and Seattle. By 1964, TCA
had grown to become Canada`s national airline; its name was changed to Air
Canada, and in 1989, it became fully privatized. In 2000, Air Canada acquired
Canadian Airlines, Canada`s second largest air carrier, thus becoming the
world`s twelfth largest commercial airline. Today, the Air Canada family of
airlines provides scheduled and charter air transportation for passengers and
cargo to more than 150 destinations on five continents; vacation packages to
over 90 destinations; loyalty management and online travel services, as well
as maintenance, ground handling and training services to other airlines.

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