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F R E E YOUR AIRPORT AND SEA ISLAND COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER

JANUARY 2006

Vancouver International Airport Authority’s

Credit Rating Among The Best In The World tandard & Poor’s, the world’s foremost provider of independent credit ratings, has raised Vancouver International Airport Authority’s credit and senior unsecured debt ratings to “AA” from “AA Low,” making YVR one of only four airports in the world with such a high designation. “The new ratings reflect our strong financial management and our successful approach in developing YVR as an economic generator for the province and Canada’s Pacific gateway,” said Larry Berg, president and CEO, Vancouver International Airport Authority. Standard & Poor’s based the upgrade on the Airport Authority’s “very strong business and financial profiles,” and history of conservative financial management. Despite the turbulent times the aviation industry experienced in recent years, such as September 11, 2001, and the SARS crisis, the Airport Authority managed to maintain strong credit metrics, said Standard & Poor’s, adding that the upgraded ratings reflect confidence in the Airport Authority and the expectation that its “financial profile will remain robust.” The Airport Authority’s “AA” rating is shared with three other airports: Los Angeles International Airport, Oklahoma City Airport (Will Rogers World Airport) and Aéroports de Paris. The second largest international passenger gateway on North America’s West Coast, YVR expects to welcome 16.9 million passengers this year. The Airport Authority is undertaking a $1.0-billion capital program that will ensure the airport meets the growing demand for air travel, and continues to be developed as a premier global gateway and economic generator for British Columbia.

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Air Canada’s Bombardier CRJ-705 aircraft has a cruising speed of 880 km/h and a range of more than 3,500 km with a total payload of 7,778 kg including a cargo payload of 700 kg.

Air Canada Inaugurates Daily Non-Stop Service To San Diego ast month, Air Canada flew its inaugural AC 8420 flight to San Diego from YVR, increasing the airline’s service to up to 20 daily flights to California from cities across Canada. Air Canada Jazz

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operates the new daily non-stop San Diego flights with next-generation, made-in-Canada Bombardier CRJ-705 aircraft, featuring 10 Executive Class and 65 Hospitality seats.

“We are delighted to introduce non-stop scheduled service to San Diego, a key California destination for leisure and business,” said Ben Smith, vice president responsible for network planning at Air Canada

and Jazz. “The addition of new jet aircraft to the Air Canada Jazz fleet allows us to pursue new market opportunities, deploy the right airSEE AIR CANADA, PAGE 4

First 747-400 Boeing Converted Freighter Redelivered To Cathay Pacific ast month, Boeing and Cathay Pacific Airways celebrated completion and certification of the first 747-400 Boeing Converted Freighter at a redelivery ceremony held in Xiamen, People’s Republic of China. Cathay Pacific launched the Boeing passenger-to-freighter conversion program in January 2004 with its order for six firm conversions and options for a further six.

L The first 747-400 Boeing Converted Freighter received a special livery to commemorate the prototype conversion. The airplane will operate on routes to North America and Europe. Photo: Boeing Company, David G. McIntyre.

“Cathay Pacific has an impressive record of being the first airline to operate new aircraft types,” said Derek Cridland, Cathay Pacific Engineering director. “We were the world’s first airline to fly the Boeing 777-300 and the Rolls Royce-powered Boeing 747-400, the type from which this new SEE CATHAY, PAGE 6

Government Releases 20-Year Canadian Aerospace Framework ast month, Transport Minister Jean-C Lapierre released the National Aerospace and Defence Strategic Framework, a 20-year plan aimed at helping leaders in the aerospace, defence

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The Honourable David Emerson Minister of Industry.

and space sectors identify where and how they can be globally competitive. The framework was developed through collaboration with stakeholders across the federal community, and in consultation with industry leaders through the Canadian Aerospace

Partnership, whose membership includes senior executives from aerospace and defence (A&D) companies, labour groups and academia, as well as five provincial governments. SEE CANADIAN AEROSPACE, CONTINUED ON PAGE 3

Cell Phone Rentals Call * YVR is the international aeronautical designation for Vancouver International Airport.

604-671-4655


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