=20 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- This article was sent to you by someone who found it on SFGate. The original article can be found on SFGate.com here: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=3D/news/archive/2004/04/23/f= inancial1226EDT0113.DTL --------------------------------------------------------------------- Friday, April 23, 2004 (AP) Air Canada splits operational side into two groups (04-23) 09:26 PDT (AP) -- MONTREAL (Dow Jones/AP) -- Air Canada split the operational side of the airline into two groups in a move aimed at placing a stronger focus on its customer and operational performance. The airline said Steve Smith, formerly president of ZIP Air Inc., assumes responsibility for the Customer Service group as senior vice president of customer experience. Rob Reid, acting president and chief executive of Air Canada Technical Services and vice president of system operations control, has been appointed senior vice president of the operations group. Air Canada also said that Rob Giguere, formerly executive vice president of operations, is "currently considering various future options." Air Canada has been operating under court protection from creditors since filing for bankruptcy protection in April 2003 and has been deadlocked with unions representing 11,000 of its employees over contract concessions. Shares of Air Canada were at 23 cents near midday Friday, down 2.5 cents, or 9.8 percent, on the over-the-counter Bulletin Board. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Copyright 2004 AP