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Investor Presentaiton

- 36 - Key Personnel The Corporation is dependent on the experience and industry knowledge of its executive officers and other key employees to execute its business plan. If Air Canada were to experience a substantial turnover in its leadership or other key employees, Air Canada's business, results from operations and financial condition could be materially adversely affected. Additionally, Air Canada may be unable to attract and retain additional qualified key personnel as needed in the future. Risks Relating to the Industry Airline Reorganizations Since September 11, 2001, a number of U.S. air carriers have sought to reorganize under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code or outside the scope of formal reorganization proceedings. Successful completion of such reorganizations could present the Corporation with competitors having reduced levels of indebtedness and significantly lower operating costs derived from labour, supply and financing contracts renegotiated under the protections of the United States Bankruptcy Code or outside the scope of formal reorganization proceedings. In addition, certain air carriers, including those involved in reorganizations, may undertake substantial fare discounting in order to maintain cash flows and to enhance continued customer loyalty. Such fare discounting could result in lower yields for the Corporation which, in turn, could have a material adverse effect on the Corporation's business, results from operations and financial condition. Economic and Geopolitical Conditions Airline operating results are sensitive to economic and geopolitical conditions which can have a significant impact on the demand for air transportation. Airline fares and passenger demand have fluctuated significantly in the past and may fluctuate significantly in the future. The Corporation is not able to predict with certainty market conditions and the fares that the Corporation may be able to charge. Customer expectations can change rapidly and the demand for lower fares may limit revenue opportunities. Travel, especially leisure travel, is a discretionary consumer expense. A downturn in economic growth in North America, as well as geopolitical instability in various areas of the world, could have the effect of reducing demand for air travel in Canada and abroad and, together with the other factors discussed herein, could materially adversely impact the Corporation's profitability. Any prolonged or significant weakness of the Canadian or world economies could have a material adverse effect on the Corporation's business, results from operations and financial condition, especially given the Corporation's substantial fixed cost structure. Airline Industry Characterized by Low Gross Profit Margins and High Fixed Costs The airline industry generally and scheduled service in particular are characterized by low gross profit margins and high fixed costs. The costs of operating any particular flight do not vary significantly with the number of passengers carried and, therefore, a relatively small change in the number of passengers or in fare pricing or traffic mix could have a significant effect on the Corporation's operating and financial results. This condition has been exacerbated by aggressive pricing by low-cost carriers, which has had the effect of driving down fares in general. Accordingly, a shortfall from expected revenue levels could have a material adverse effect on the Corporation's business, results from operations and financial condition. The Corporation incurs substantial fixed costs which do not meaningfully fluctuate with overall capacity. As a result, should the Corporation be required to reduce its overall capacity or the number of flights operated, it may not be able to successfully reduce certain fixed costs in the short term and may be required to incur important termination or other restructuring costs, which could have a material adverse effect on the Corporation's business, results from operations and financial condition. Terrorist Attacks and Security Measures The September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks and subsequent terrorist activity, notably in the Middle East, Southeast Asia and Europe, caused uncertainty in the minds of the traveling public. The occurrence of a major terrorist attack (whether domestic or international and whether involving the Corporation or another carrier or no carrier at all) and increasingly restrictive security measures, such as the current restrictions on the content of carry-on baggage, could have a material adverse effect on passenger demand for air travel and on the number of passengers traveling on the Corporation's flights. It could also lead to a substantial increase in insurance, airport security and other costs. Any
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