Air Canada Flies the Flag High from Coast to Coast in Celebration of Carrier's 65th Anniversary 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. Note to photo editors: A photograph of Air Canada's Symphony of Voices aircraft is available on the Canadian Press Photo Network, as well as at www.media.aircanada.ca and selecting "Facts and Photos." The owner of Roger's Trinbago Site: Roj (Roger James) *************************************************** escape email mailto:ejames@escape.ca Trinbago site: http://www.tntisland.com CBC Website http://www.tntisland.com/caribbeanbrassconnection/ The Trinbago Site of the Week: (ReadyMix) http://www.readymix.co.tt/ (ReadyMix Cement Ltd) courtesy of Roj Trinbago Website & TnT Web Directory Roj's Trinbago Website: http://www.tntisland.com TnT Web Directory: http://search.co.tt *********************************************************