Chorus Aviation Comments on Air Canada's Discontinuation of Service to Certain Regional Markets

Chorus Aviation Comments on Air Canada's Discontinuation of Service to Certain Regional Markets

Canada NewsWire

HALIFAX, NS, June 30, 2020 /CNW/ - Chorus Aviation Inc. (TSX: CHR) ('Chorus') provides the following comment on Air Canada's announcement earlier today regarding the discontinuation of service to certain regional markets.

Air Canada has announced the discontinuation of 30 regional routes, 21 of which are operated by Jazz Aviation LP ('Jazz'), and the closure of eight stations at regional airports, all of which are managed by Jazz. Details of the route suspensions and station closures are provided in Air Canada's news release.

"The COVID-19 crisis and provincial and federal government-imposed travel restrictions and border closures are having a significant negative effect on passenger demand for Canadian air travel," commented Joe Randell, President and Chief Executive Officer, Chorus.  "I am saddened by the impact today's announcement will have on our employees, suppliers and the affected communities, but respect and understand the difficult choice our partner, Air Canada, has had to make."

Jazz and Air Canada are parties to a capacity purchase agreement (the 'CPA') with a term extending through the end of 2035. Under the CPA, Air Canada purchases substantially all of Jazz's fleet capacity and pays certain fixed margin fees, performance incentives and compensation for operating costs (including aircraft lease rents) and makes all decisions with respect to marketing that capacity. Jazz's compensation does not vary with flight activity and remains unchanged with this announcement.

Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains 'forward-looking information'. Forward-looking information is identified by the use of terms and phrases such as "anticipate", "believe", "could", "estimate", "expect", "intend", "may", "plan", "predict", "potential", "project", "will", "would", and similar terms and phrases, including references to assumptions. Forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking information. Actual results may differ materially from results indicated in forward-looking information for a number of reasons, including a prolonged duration of the COVID-19 outbreak and/or further restrictive measures to contain its spread, the evolving impact of COVID-19 on Air Canada and other contractual counterparties, aviation industry and general economic conditions, the emergence of other epidemic diseases, any disruption in payment by Air Canada of amounts due under the CPA in whole or in part, potential disputes that may arise respecting the rights and obligations of the parties to the CPA, as well as the risk factors identified in Chorus' Annual Information Form dated February 12, 2020 and in Chorus' public disclosure record available at www.sedar.com. Statements containing forward-looking information in this news release represent Chorus' expectations as of the date of this news release (or as of the date they are otherwise stated to be made) and are subject to change after such date. Chorus disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise such statements to reflect new information, subsequent events or otherwise, unless required by applicable securities laws.

About Chorus Aviation Inc.

Chorus is a global provider of integrated regional aviation solutions.  Chorus' vision is to deliver regional aviation to the world. Headquartered in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Chorus is comprised of Chorus Aviation Capital a leading, global lessor of regional aircraft, and Jazz Aviation and Voyageur Aviation – companies that have long histories of safe operations with excellent customer service. Chorus provides a full suite of regional aviation support services that encompasses every stage of an aircraft's lifecycle, including aircraft acquisitions and leasing; aircraft refurbishment, engineering, modification, repurposing and preparation; contract flying; aircraft and component maintenance, disassembly, and parts provisioning.

Chorus Class A Variable Voting Shares and Class B Voting Shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the trading symbol 'CHR'. www.chorusaviation.com

SOURCE Chorus Aviation Inc.

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