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Air Canada

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FY2023 Annual Report · Air Canada
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2023 Annual Report

Air Canada has and continues to establish 
targets, make commitments and assess the 
impact regarding climate change, and related 
initiatives, plans and proposals that Air Canada 
and other stakeholders (including government, 
regulatory and other bodies) are pursuing in 
relation to climate change and greenhouse gas 
emissions. The achievement of our commitments 
and targets depends on many factors, including 
the combined actions of governments, industry, 
suppliers and other stakeholders and actors, as 
well as the development and implementation 
of new technologies. In particular, our 2030 
and 2050 greenhouse gas emission-related 
targets are ambitious, and heavily dependent on 
new technologies, renewable energies and the 
availability of sufficient a supply of sustainable 
aviation fuels (SAF) which continues to present 
serious challenges.  In addition, Air Canada has 
incurred, and expects to continue to incur, costs 
to achieve its goal of net-zero greenhouse gas 
emissions and to comply with environmental 
sustainability legislation and regulation and 
other standards and accords. The precise nature 
of future binding or non-binding legislation, 
regulation, standards and accords, on which local 
and international stakeholders are increasingly 
focusing, cannot be predicted with any degree 
of certainty, nor can their financial, operational 
or other impact. There can be no assurance of 
the extent to which any of our climate goals will 
be achieved or that any future investments that 
we make in furtherance of achieving our climate 
goals will produce the expected results or meet 
increasing stakeholder environmental, social 
and governance expectations. Moreover, future 
events could lead Air Canada to prioritize other 
nearer-term interests over progressing toward our 
current climate goals based on business strategy, 
economic, regulatory and social factors, and 
potential pressure from investors, activist groups 
or other stakeholders. If we are unable to meet or 
properly report on our progress toward achieving 
our climate change goals and commitments, we 
could face adverse publicity and reactions from 
investors, customers, advocacy groups or other 
stakeholders, which could result in reputational 
harm or other adverse effects to Air Canada. 
The forward-looking statements contained or 
incorporated by reference in this Annual Report 
represent Air Canada’s expectations as of the 
date of this Annual Report (or as of the date they 
are otherwise stated to be made) and are subject 
to change after such date. However, Air Canada 
disclaims any intention or obligation to update or 
revise any forward-looking statements, whether 
because of new information, future events or 
otherwise, except as required under applicable 
securities regulations. 

Intellectual property
Air Canada owns or has rights to trademarks, 
service marks or trade names used in connection 
with the operation of its business. In addition, 
Air Canada’s names, logos and website names and 
addresses are owned or licensed by Air Canada. 
Air Canada also owns or has the rights to 
copyrights that also protect the content of its 
products and/or services. Solely for convenience, 
the trademarks, service marks, trade names and 
copyrights referred to in this Annual Report may 
be listed without the ©, ® and TM symbols, but 
Air Canada reserves all rights to assert, to the 
fullest extent under applicable law, its rights, 
or the rights of the applicable licensors to these 
trademarks, service marks, trade names and 
copyrights. This Annual Report may also include 
trademarks, service marks or trade names of 
other parties. Air Canada’s use or display of other 
parties’ trademarks, service marks, trade names or 
products is not intended to, and does not imply a 
relationship with, or endorsement or sponsorship 
of Air Canada by, the trademark, service mark or 
trade name owners or licensees.

Incorporation of other 
information
No information contained on or accessed via 
Air Canada’s websites (or any other website 
referred to in this Annual Report), and no 
document referred to in this Annual Report, is 
incorporated into or forms part of this Annual 
Report, except if it is expressly stated in this 
Annual Report to be incorporated into this 
Annual Report.

Non-GAAP measures
Air Canada uses non-GAAP measures and 
supplementary financial measures including 
adjusted EBITDA (earnings before interest, 
taxes, depreciation, and amortization), adjusted 
EBITDA margin, leverage ratio, adjusted pre-tax 
income (loss), adjusted net income (loss), free 
cash flow, net debt, adjusted earnings (loss) 
per share, and adjusted CASM.  Such measures, 
including those referred to in this Annual Report, 
are not recognized measures for financial 
statement presentation under GAAP, do not have 
standardized meanings, may not be comparable 
to similar measures presented by other entities 
and should not be considered a substitute for 
or superior to GAAP results. Refer to section 20 
“Non-GAAP Financial Measures” of Air Canada’s 
2023 MD&A included in this Annual Report 
for an explanation of the composition of these 
non-GAAP measures, an explanation of how they 
provide useful information to investors and the 
additional purposes for which management uses 
them, as well as a quantitative reconciliation to 
the most directly comparable GAAP measure.

Caution regarding forward-
looking information
Air Canada’s public communications may 
include forward-looking statements within the 
meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-
looking statements relate to analyses and other 
information that are based on forecasts of 
future results and estimates of amounts not yet 
determinable. These statements may involve, 
but are not limited to, comments relating to 
guidance, strategies, expectations, planned 
operations or future actions. Forward-looking 
statements are identified using terms and phrases 
such as “preliminary”; “anticipate”; “believe”; 
“could”; “estimate”; “expect”; “intend”; “may”; 
“plan”; “predict”; “project”; “will”; “would”; and 
similar terms and phrases, including references 
to assumptions.

Forward-looking statements, by their nature, are 
based on assumptions including those described 
herein and are subject to important risks and 
uncertainties. Forward-looking statements 
cannot be relied upon due to, among other 
things, changing external events and general 
uncertainties of the business of Air Canada. Actual 
results may differ materially from results indicated 
in forward-looking statements due to a number of 
factors, including those discussed below.

Factors that may cause results to differ materially 
from results indicated in forward-looking 
statements include economic conditions as well 
as geopolitical conditions such as the military 
conflicts in the Middle East and between Russia 
and Ukraine, Air Canada’s ability to successfully 
achieve or sustain positive net profitability, 
industry and market conditions and the demand 
environment, competition, Air Canada’s 
dependence on technology, cybersecurity 
risks, interruptions of service, climate change 
and environmental factors (including weather 
systems and other natural phenomena and 
factors arising from anthropogenic sources), 
Air Canada’s dependence on key suppliers 
(including government agencies and other 
stakeholders supporting airport and airline 
operations), employee and labour relations 
and costs, Air Canada’s ability to successfully 
implement appropriate strategic and other 
important initiatives (including Air Canada’s 
ability to manage operating costs), energy prices, 
Air Canada’s ability to pay its indebtedness 
and maintain or increase liquidity, Air Canada’s 
dependence on regional and other carriers, 
Air Canada’s ability to attract and retain required 
personnel, epidemic diseases, changes in laws, 
regulatory developments or proceedings, terrorist 
acts, war, Air Canada’s ability to successfully 
operate its loyalty program, casualty losses, 
Air Canada’s dependence on Star Alliance® and 
joint ventures, Air Canada’s ability to preserve 
and grow its brand, pending and future litigation 
and actions by third parties, currency exchange 
fluctuations, limitations due to restrictive 
covenants, insurance issues and costs, and 
pension plan obligations as well as the factors 
identified in Air Canada’s public disclosure file 
available at www.sedarplus.com and, in particular, 
those identified in section 18 “Risk Factors” of 
Air Canada’s 2023 MD&A included in this Annual 
Report. 

What’s inside

Introduction
Message from the President and Chief Executive Officer .................4
2023 Business Highlights ...........................................................................6
Key Industry Awards ...................................................................................7
Rise Higher .....................................................................................................8
Building a responsible future ...................................................................19
ESG highlights ............................................................................................ 23
Board of Directors and Committees  ................................................... 27
Executive Officers ..................................................................................... 28
Investor and Shareholder information ................................................ 29

2023 Management’s Discussion  
and Analysis of Results of Operations  
and Financial Condition

1.  Selected Financial Metrics and Statistics .................................... 32
2. 
Introduction and Key Assumptions ...............................................33
3.  About Air Canada ...............................................................................35
4.  Overview ..............................................................................................36
5.  Results of Operations – 2023 Versus 2022 .................................42
6.  Results Of Operations – Q4 2023 Versus Q4 2022 .................48
7.  Fleet ....................................................................................................... 53
8.  Financial and Capital Management ............................................... 56
9.  Quarterly Financial Data ..................................................................62
10. Selected Annual Information ..........................................................63
11.  Financial Instruments and Risk Management ............................64
12.  Accounting Policies  ...........................................................................66
13.  Critical Accounting Estimates and Judgments ...........................66
14. Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements .................................................69
15.  Related Party Transactions..............................................................69
16. Sensitivity of Results ......................................................................... 70
17.  Enterprise Risk Management and Governance ...........................71
18. Risk Factors .......................................................................................... 72
19.  Controls and Procedures ..................................................................80
20. Non-GAAP Financial Measures .......................................................81
21.  Glossary ................................................................................................ 85

2023 Consolidated  
Financial Statements  
and Notes

Statement of Management’s Responsibility for  
Financial Reporting ...................................................................................88
Independent auditor’s report .................................................................89
Consolidated Statements of Financial Position ................................94
Consolidated Statements of Operations ............................................ 95
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (loss) .........96
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity (deficiency) ........96
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flow .............................................. 97
1.  General Information .........................................................................98
2.  Basis of Presentation and Summary of  

Material Accounting Policies  ..........................................................99
3.  Critical Accounting Estimates and Judgments ......................... 107
4.  Investments, Deposits And Other Assets .................................109
5.  Property and Equipment .................................................................110
6.  Intangible Assets ...............................................................................112
7.  Goodwill ..............................................................................................114
8.  Long-Term Debt and Lease Liabilities ..........................................115
9.  Pensions and Other Benefit Liabilities.........................................119
10. Provisions for Other Liabilities ......................................................127
11.  Income Taxes ..................................................................................... 128
12.  Share Capital ..................................................................................... 133
13.  Share-Based Compensation.......................................................... 135
14. Earnings (Loss) Per Share ...............................................................138
15.  Commitments ................................................................................... 139
16. Financial Instruments and Risk Management ..........................140
17.  Contingencies, Guarantees and Indemnities ............................ 147
18. Capital Disclosures ..........................................................................148
19.  Revenue ..............................................................................................149
20. Related Party Transactions.............................................................151

|   3

ANNUAL REPORT 2023Message from the President and 
Chief Executive Officer

We are in the business of journeys and making 
meaningful connections. As we reflect on 
Air Canada’s 2023 performance, I am pleased to 
share the accomplishments and progress in a year 
full of challenges and opportunities. We are proud 
of our achievements and remain committed to 
creating long-term value for all our stakeholders.

Rising higher 

Fleet innovation 

Air Canada delivered very strong results in 2023, meeting 
key financial objectives and advancing or exceeding 
most of our strategic and operational goals for the year, 
underscoring the effective progress we are making. 
Bolstered by our ambition to rise higher, we continue 
to expand and improve our offerings and enhance our 
customer experience through strategic investments and 
other deliberate actions, while making a meaningful, 
positive impact on society and the communities we serve. 

Our fleet optimization continued in 2023. We invested 
in and took delivery of more modern and fuel-efficient 
aircraft, and we entered into agreements to acquire 18 
Boeing 787-10 Dreamliners with options for another 12. Other 
aircraft we are adding to the fleet include Airbus A220-300s 
and Airbus A321XLRs. The new aircraft will help us mitigate 
emissions while offering an enhanced travel experience for 
our customers, as we continue to position ourselves toward 
more sustainable growth and profitability. 

Reaching new frontiers 

More for customers 

We fly the flag and connect Canada to the rest of the world 
through our vast and growing network. In 2023, we expanded 
our reach by introducing new routes and new destinations. 
We are the largest provider of scheduled passenger services 
in the Canadian market and in the Canada-U.S. transborder 
and the international markets to and from Canada. Our seven 
cargo freighters in service also complemented our extensive 
domestic and international passenger networks. Daily flights 
averaged 1,025 to 188 direct destinations on six continents, 
carrying more than 46 million passengers in 2023 compared 
to more than 37 million passengers in 2022. Bringing 
customers safely to their destinations is our utmost priority 
and our core value. We are committed to maintaining our 
high safety standards and to protecting the well-being of our 
customers and our colleagues. 

4   |

Our operational performance saw notable improvements. 
This is no small feat when we consider the growth in traffic 
and ongoing supply chain challenges. We uplifted the 
customer experience notably through our Elevating the 
Customer Experience (ECX) program, delivering 41 initiatives 
focused on our processes, planning and execution, 
communications and collaboration. We invested in novel 
technologies and product enhancements to provide our 
customers high-quality comfort and enhanced service. This 
includes being the first Canadian airline to pilot a new facial 
recognition technology and expanding our premium airport 
lounge network to 29 lounges worldwide. 

ANNUAL REPORT 2023Consistent with our goal of reaching new frontiers, we gave 
our customers more travel options through our arrangements 
with United Airlines and Emirates, offering our customers 
more destinations to the United States and the Middle East. 
We also introduced new air-to-rail connections in Europe, 
facilitating travel choice making for our customers. 

Customers trust us to carry 
them to the destination of 
their choice, and we will 
continue to do so safely 
with care and class.

Aeroplan, our award-winning loyalty program, has more 
than eight million active members, a figure that has doubled 
since 2019. Aeroplan produced new, innovative partnerships 
and services in 2023, such as with Bell and Parkland. It also 
introduced AC Wallet, which enables members to use stored 
flight credits to book flights on our website or on our app. 

Empowering one another 

I am immensely proud of our employees, notably for their 
tenacity, ambition and commitment to our customers. We 
take pride in providing services in English and French and in 
23 route languages, and we grew to about 39,000 employees 
in 2023. We continued to foster partnerships with community 
organizations and participated in events that encourage 
inclusivity. Further, we continued to drive our diversity, equity 
and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, and we launched our first 
accessibility plan in 2023, gaining input from our customers 
and our employees with disabilities. We will continue to make 
decisions that support equity and representation throughout 
our business, including continuing our commitment to 
consult with persons with disabilities and accessibility 
organizations to create positive travel experiences for persons 
with disabilities and to provide a fulfilling employment 
experience in the workplace. 

Community support 

We are dedicated to aligning our business practices with our 
values and aim to make a meaningful contribution to society. 
In 2023, with the Air Canada Foundation, we supported 
360 Canadian charitable organizations dedicated to the 
health and well-being of children. The Foundation raised more 
than $1.7 million, which includes a record $1.3 million (net) 
from its annual golf tournament, and the Dreams Take Flight 
program returned, allowing more than 1,000 children to 
create treasured experiences. We provided emergency 
humanitarian relief for Canadian and international appeals to 
support those impacted by wildfires and earthquakes, such 
as in Morocco, Türkiye and Syria, and we brought Canadians 
safely home from Israel and Maui with special flights. 

Climate action 

We continued our efforts to modernize our fleet by 
introducing more fuel-efficient aircraft to enhance 
operational efficiency and reduce our carbon footprint. 
Our investment in electrifying our ground support 
equipment vehicles, which operate with minimal emissions 
and contribute to cleaner air quality, exemplifies our 
commitment.

We actively sourced additional SAF, promoting more 
sustainable air travel, and we enhanced our Aeroplan Flight 
Rewards Program with carbon offset compensations for 
associated flights. Our Leave Less Travel Program encourages 
corporate customers to adopt more sustainable travel 
practices, further aligning with our climate goals.

Our climate action goals are ambitious. We cannot 
achieve them on our own as we are heavily dependent 
on new technologies and the availability of sufficient 
sustainable aviation fuels and other renewable energies. 
We need governments, airports and other stakeholders 
to act decisively, to take concrete measures in support of 
infrastructure, energy transition and other initiatives that will 
allow the airline industry and Air Canada to decarbonize and 
achieve its climate action ambition. 

Sometimes there are headwinds, but we adapt strategically 
and move forward stronger. Customers trust us to carry them 
to the destination of their choice, and we will continue to 
do so safely with care and class. I look forward to delivering 
strong results and reporting on our achievements to you 
again in the future. 

Thank you for your loyalty, support and trust.

Michael Rousseau

Learn more

Corporate Sustainability     |     Air Canada Foundation

|   5

ANNUAL REPORT 20232023 Business Highlights

EMPLOYEES 

About
39,000
END OF 2023

Compared to about  
36,000 in 2022

NETWORK 
GROWTH

1,025 
AVERAGE DAILY 
FLIGHTS

About 945 in 2022

WELCOMED 
PASSENGERS

Over
46M
About 37M in 2022

24% INCREASE

ADJUSTED 
EBITDA1

OPERATING 
REVENUES

OPERATING 
INCOME (LOSS)

$3.982B
$1.457B in 2022

$21.833B
$16.556B in 2022

$2.279B
($187M) in 2022

FLEET RENEWAL

Sourced 
18 Boeing 787-10 
Dreamliners  
and 
5 737 MAX 8 
aircraft

DIRECT 
DESTINATIONS

NEW ROUTES 
LAUNCHED

188 
ON 6 CONTINENTS

14

Deep Canadian network and 
established international presence

ASMs

About 
99.0B
About 82.6B in 2022

TOTAL 
LIQUIDITY

$10.3B
AT DEC. 31, 2023

$9.8B at Dec. 31, 2022

LEVERAGE 
RATIO1

1.1x
AT DEC. 31, 2023 

Materially improved 
from 5.1x at Dec. 31, 
2022

1  Adjusted EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization) and leverage ratio are non-GAAP 
measures. Please see the discussion at the section entitled “Non-GAAP measures” on page 2 of this Annual Report.

CLIMATE ACTION PLAN

OTHER SUSTAINABILITY AREAS

Fleet renewal: Sourced 
18 Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner 
aircraft, continuing transition to 
more modern, efficient aircraft to 
lower emissions per seat

Sold environmental attributes 
associated with 2.4 M U.S. gallons 
of SAF 

Introduced air-to-rail connections 
in Europe

Added another 
20 electric ground 
support equipment 
(e-GSE) in 2023

Partnered with IAGOS (In-service 
Aircraft for a Global Observing 
System) to contribute to climate 
and air quality research by 
equipping an Airbus A330 to 
monitor high-altitude data

41 ECX initiatives delivered such as biometrics 
at select airports, baggage tracking and e-gates

Implemented four structural DEI pillars: 
DEI Executive Council, DEI Steering Committee, 
DEI Champions Program, formalization of 
employee resource groups (ERGs)

Historic partnership with new Professional 
Women’s Hockey League

Implementing Linguistic Action Plan; Office 
québécois de la langue française (OQLF) 
voluntary registration

Enhanced UBY (Unlock the Best in You) 
program for employees

Resumed operations for 8 Dreams Take Flight 
for 1,000+ children

Air Canada Foundation supported 
360 charities across Canada

Launched Accessibility Plan; announced 
measures to reduce barriers

For more information
See 2022 Citizens of the World and Air Canada 2022 TCFD supplement

Introduced free  
Bell Wi-Fi 
messaging for 
Aeroplan Members

BUSINESS DIVERSIFICATION

AEROPLAN 

•  Record membership surpassing 8 million 

members

CARGO

•  7 all-cargo freighters in service,  

deployed to 12+ destinations in 2023

AIR CANADA VACATIONS

•  Materially increased revenues as compared  

to 2022

6   |

ANNUAL REPORT 2023Key Industry Awards

Skytrax World Airline Awards:
•  Best Airline in Canada 
•  Best Airline Staff in Canada 
•  Best Low-Cost Airline in Canada 

(Air Canada Rouge)

2024 APEX Five Star Global 
Airline Award

Passenger Choice Award for Best 
Entertainment in North America 
from the Airline Passenger 
Experience Association 

Favourite Airline in North America 
from the Trazee Awards  
(fifth consecutive year) 

Best Airline for Onboard 
Entertainment from 
Global Traveler  
(fifth consecutive year)

Airline Program of the Year, Best 
Promotion and Best Redemption 
Ability for Air Canada’s Aeroplan 
loyalty program 

Sustainability Awards America: 
2023 Award for Achievement in 
Sustainability – Airline

Seattle-Tacoma International 
Airport Fly Quiet Program: 
2023 Fly Quiet Award

Project Green YVR Annual Summit: 
•  YVR Green Excellence Award for 

Environmental Stewardship

•  Waste Wars Passenger Lounges: 
1st Place - Air Canada Maple Leaf 
Lounge (C Pier)

AWARD-WINNING EMPLOYER 

Air Canada named one of  
Canada’s Best Employers by Forbes  
(eighth consecutive year)

Air Canada named one of 
Montréal’s Top Employers 
(10th consecutive year)

Outstanding Commitment to 
Employment Equity Award and the 
Sector Distinction Award as part of the 
Employment Equity Achievement Awards

Air Canada employees named Best Airline 
Staff in Canada at 2023 Skytrax World 
Airline Awards at Paris Air Show

Top 10 Diversity and Culture 
Impact Leaders Award

|   7

ANNUAL REPORT 2023Rise Higher

Air Canada’s corporate strategy framework, Rise Higher, aims to elevate everything about our 
business as we continue into an era of innovation and bold competition — domestically and 
internationally. Rise Higher is centred around revenue enhancement and cost transformation, 
leveraging our international network, customer engagement and culture change. 

Every team concentrates on activities and goals that align with our four priorities: Fund Our 
Future, Reach New Frontiers, Elevate Our Customers and Lift Each Other Up.

Fund our future by 
staying vigilant on costs, 
seizing on opportunities 
and making the right 
strategic investments.

Reach new frontiers  
by embracing our 
competitive strengths 
to grow our business, 
expanding our international 
reach and exploring new 
opportunities.

Elevate our 
customers by 
supporting the creation 
of meaningful customer 
experiences and human 
connections, such as by 
leveraging innovations 
in technology, loyalty 
program and products. 

Foster a collaborative 
workplace that respects 
all diverse cultures and 
contributions to society.

8   |

ANNUAL REPORT 2023Fund Our Future
We rise higher by staying vigilant on costs, seizing 
on opportunities and making the right strategic 
investments.

This year we built on our restored stability, 
carrying more than 46 million passengers 
safely to their destination with care and 
class. We pivoted toward the future, amid 
geopolitical issues and other challenges, 
while strengthening our business, our 
operational depth and our financial 
position. These are important milestones 
for our shareholders, while also serving 
as a foundation for our customer-centric 
priorities and our growth plans to meet 
anticipated customer demand. 

In 2023, Air Canada added 12 aircraft to its 
operating fleet: six wide-bodies including 
two freighters and six narrow-bodies. 
Air Canada announced that it is acquiring 
18 Boeing 787-10 aircraft with options for 
an additional 12, with deliveries expected 
to begin in the fourth quarter of 2025 and 
end in 2027. 

We prepaid about $1.3 billion of 
outstanding debt, including for the 
financing of 33 Airbus A220 and 
five Boeing 787-8 aircraft. As a result of 
prepayments, these aircraft have been 
added to Air Canada’s unencumbered asset 
pool, bringing the total estimated value to 
approximately $6.6 billion at December 
31, 2023, excluding the value of Aeroplan. 

At December 31, 2023, our leverage ratio 
was 1.1, a significant improvement from a 
leverage ratio of 5.1 at December 31, 2022, 
and total liquidity of $10.3 billion at year-
end was about $500 million more than 
when the year began.

MET 2023 COMMITMENTS FOR

Operated capacity

20% year-over-year increase

Adjusted CASM1

13.49 cents in 2023, an increase of 
2.2% from 2022

Adjusted EBITDA1

$3.982 billion compared to 
$1.457 billion in 2022

RECORD 
FULL YEAR 
OPERATING 
REVENUES 

$21.8B 
IN 2023
(compared to  
$16.6B in 2022)

OPERATING 
INCOME

$2.3B
IN 2023
(compared to 
operating loss of 
$187M in 2022)

1  Adjusted EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and 
amortization) and adjusted CASM (cost per available seat mile) are 
non-GAAP measures. Please see the discussion at the section entitled 
“Non-GAAP measures” on page 2 of this Annual Report.

TECHNOLOGY

•  We launched new digital identification 

technology, becoming the first Canadian airline 
to offer customers safety and convenience to 
use facial recognition technology to confirm 
their identification. The pilot project is available 
for customers in certain locations, including 
from Vancouver International Airport and at the 
Maple Leaf Lounge and Café at YYZ. We plan to 
continue to scale up this project.

•  We made additional advances to the Air Canada mobile application including:

 — Dynamic “push” boarding pass updates, ensuring customers always have the 

most up-to-date version of their travel document.

 — Integrated airport maps and wayfinding into the Flight Status feature to help 
customers navigate through 12 major airports in Canada (Montréal, Toronto, 
Calgary, Vancouver) and internationally (Chicago, Newark, N.J., London, 
Frankfurt, Munich, Zurich, Dubai, Tokyo).

•  Intelsat, operator of one of the world’s largest integrated satellite and terrestrial 

networks and leading provider of in-flight connectivity, agreed to provide 
connectivity systems for nearly 100 additional aircraft across our fleet, including 
the new multi-orbit electronically steered array antenna for aircraft in our 
regional jet fleet.

|   9

ANNUAL REPORT 2023Reach New Frontiers
We rise higher by embracing our competitive strengths to grow our business, restoring and 
expanding our international reach and continually exploring new opportunities.

Expanded network
In 2023, our total fleet, including Air Canada Rouge and 
Air Canada Express fleets, grew to 361 aircraft. 

Air Canada operated 
1,025 average daily flights, 
versus 945 in 2022, to 188 direct 
destinations on six continents. 
We carried more than 46 million 
passengers compared to just 
above 37 million in 2022. 

We enabled customers to discover new destinations by 
introducing new seasonal routes like to Monterrey and 
Martinique from Toronto. Seasonal service was also 
established to Amsterdam, Copenhagen and Los Cabos 
from Montréal, and four times weekly flights to Dubai 
from Vancouver. In 2023, year-round service to Brussels 
from Toronto and Toulouse from Montréal was initiated. 

For our transborder service, we introduced routes to JFK 
(New York) and Sacramento from Toronto, New Orleans 
and JFK from Montréal, and Dulles, Va., from Vancouver.

In 2023, we began year-round service to Yellowknife 
from Toronto and service between Fort McMurray 
and Montréal.

10   |

AIR CANADA CARGO

$924 million in Cargo revenues compared to $1.266 billion in 2022

7 freighters in service

Launched a new website with features to improve the customer 
experience, such as an interactive map tool, and an updated design 
to better reflect the brand

Agreed with Emirates SkyCargo to offer more benefits to mutual 
air freight customers, including access to more capacity on a 
larger combined global network and the opportunity for mutual 
customers to book shipments on each other’s flights

Joined the Pharma Aero platform with the aim of contributing to 
and benefitting from Pharma Aero’s knowledge and expertise to 
further develop its handling of pharmaceutical shipments

Certified Opticooler Containers from DoKaSch Temperature 
Solutions to support its extensive cool chain network and delivery 
of temperature-sensitive products such as vaccines and other 
pharmaceuticals

YMM

ANNUAL REPORT 2023Elevate Our Customers
We rise higher by supporting the creation 
of meaningful customer experiences and 
human connections, such as by leveraging 
innovations in technology, loyalty program 
and products.

Elevating the customer experience
We took important steps during the year to 
continue enhancing our level of customer service 
and to improving upon our operational reliability. 
With technology enhancements, enhanced 
employee training programs, as well as engaging 
regularly with our customers through surveys, focus 
groups and other means, we are targeting service 
excellence and product offerings to elevate the 
customer experience. 

In 2023, Air Canada: 

•  Implemented baggage and mobility aid tracking 

and reporting for journeys within Canada (via the 
Air Canada mobile app).

Aeroplan 
As Canada’s premier travel loyalty program, 
Aeroplan enables members to accumulate 
points through travel on Air Canada and 
select partners, as well as through the 
purchase of products and services from participating partners 
and suppliers. As the program continues to grow and gain new 
features, members realize more from their day-to-day activities, 
including more ways to earn, more rewards and more benefits 
along the way.

•  We had eight million members enrolled by  

end-2023, double the 2019 level.

•  We launched a new partnership with Parkland, 
offering members more than 1,100 gas and 
convenience store locations across Canada to 
earn and redeem Aeroplan points on everyday 
purchases.

•  We expanded our partnership with Uber with members 

earning one Aeroplan point per $1 spent on orders in grocery 
and retail sections of Uber Eats app.

•  We introduced AC Wallet, a credit option for Aeroplan 

Members who cancel an unused ticket or are refunded for 
ancillary charges.

•  We announced a multi-year partnership with Bell for 
free in-flight messaging for Aeroplan Members. Free 
mobile SIM cards were also introduced on select inbound 
international flights. 

•  Expanded in-flight food and beverage offerings to 

suit a variety of needs and tastes. 

•  Launched pre-ordering of in-flight meals for 
Air Canada Signature Class and Premium 
Economy customers on all international flights 
departing from Canada. Pre-ordering will also 
reduce excess meals by 20 per cent in 2024, 
reducing the number of meals that go to waste.

•  Introduced a 25 per cent back statement credit 
for all Bistro purchases when customers use 
TD Visa Aeroplan credit card to make onboard 
purchases.

|   11

ANNUAL REPORT 2023Operational performance 
We saw real progress on our operational performance in 2023 
by delivering 41 initiatives that improved Air Canada’s on-time 
performance, customer insights, customer communications, 
disruption handling and recovery, employee engagement and 
service excellence. These include: 

•  Continually increasing experience levels through additional 

training programs.

•  Improved schedule design of our flight operations, allowing 

for additional flexibility in ground time and connection times 
for customers. 

•  Deeper collaboration in planning and execution with all 
key partners in the travel ecosystem, including airport 
authorities, airport security agencies, customs and border 
processing and air traffic control and third-party ground 
handlers, caterers and fuelers, to enhance operational 
efficiencies. 

•  New carry-on baggage processes, such as pre-solicitation to 
collect bags through self-service and customer messaging to 
facilitate the boarding process of select flights.

•  Process improvements to ensure efficient turnaround of 
aircraft and on-time departures (e.g., equipment staging 
processes and cabin grooming procedures).

•  Expanded Live TV into transborder markets and 

increased onboard content by 209 per cent (more 
than 2,300 additional hours of content).

•  Fostered major collaborations with industry 
leaders such as Apple, Audible (an Amazon 
company) and Disney and offered “first window” 
or “first airline to offer” opportunities including: 

 — Disney+ Originals, Apple Fitness+ customized 
meditation videos, Hayu reality TV shows and 
HBO podcasts.

•  Concluded direct licensing deal with Mattel 

to offer extensive library of children’s content 
including popular shows like Hot Wheels in the 
City and Thomas and Friends: Learning with 
Thomas as well as episodes of Barbie’s vlog. 

•  Upgraded Airbus A321 aircraft with all-new 
interior and innovative cabin technology: 

 — Cabin improvements include larger overhead 
bins, new seating and a state-of-the-art in-
flight entertainment (IFE) system.

 — Exterior cameras on narrow-body aircraft 

provide customers real-time, high-definition 
flight views on IFE seatback screens.

 — New technologies, such as Bluetooth audio 
and free high-speed internet available for all 
customers, trialled in flight.

12   |

ANNUAL REPORT 2023Safeguarding your information 
Privacy and information security require ongoing care and 
attention for a business of our scale and complexity. We are 
subject to an expanding range of obligations as new privacy 
and data protection laws are enacted in Canada and around 
the world. Our customers, employees, investors and other 
stakeholders increasingly expect us to demonstrate that we 
collect data appropriately, use it for appropriate purposes and 
keep it secure. 

We are committed to protecting our 
customers’ and employees’ personal 
information and their right to privacy.

We maintain privacy policies relating to the collection, use and 
sharing of personal information. The policies also describe the 
rights of individuals over that information. Air Canada’s Privacy 
Office oversees the use of this information and monitors 
compliance with data protection laws.

We invest in cybersecurity initiatives that target areas of 
advancement to help ensure we stay ahead of evolving threats, 
both from the growing number of sophisticated actors (including 
hackers, organized criminals, state-sponsored actors) and 
information security attacks that have continued to grow in 
complexity. We integrate cybersecurity requirements into all 
technology projects to help ensure a stable and secure baseline 
of systems, processes and training. These requirements are based 
on best practices and mature standards and they encompass 
all dimensions of cybersecurity resilience including the ability 
to identify, protect, detect, respond and recover as described in 
the NIST cybersecurity framework. We also seek to ensure that 
suppliers have effective cybersecurity and privacy controls that 
are aligned with Air Canada’s policies and standards. 

•  Expanded worldwide lounge network to 29 with 
addition of three new premium airport lounges: 

 — Aspire | Air Canada Café at Billy Bishop 

Toronto City Airport with premium amenities, 
food and beverages that offer higher levels 
of service, comfort and convenience for 
travellers.

 — Maple Leaf Lounge at San Francisco 

International Airport.

 — Newark Liberty International Airport 

Terminal A, co-located within new United 
Club.

•  Began offering customers convenient new air-to-
rail booking options to connect at four European 
airports on four major passenger rail systems in 
France, Germany, Switzerland and Austria.

|   13

ANNUAL REPORT 2023Lift Each Other Up
We rise higher by fostering a collaborative workplace that respects all diverse cultures and 
contributions to society.

Safety First, Always 
At the heart of our culture is our 
number one central value: Safety First, 
Always. The core consideration in all 
we do, the safety of our customers, 
employees and those in communities 
where we fly and serve is always our 
top priority. Safety management is 
a critical responsibility and affects 
virtually every operational decision 
Air Canada makes.

We support and promote effective 
employee training; the continued 
development and integration of 
safety data analytics and artificial 
intelligence into our Safety 
Management System (SMS); 
continually assess and manage 
safety risks associated with the 
introduction of new equipment, new 
routes and new initiatives or projects; 
and reinforce and promote safety 
reporting, protecting safety critical 
information in order to inform its 
decisions going forward.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion 
Diverse talent continues to grow our 
employee base. We continue to step up 
our efforts to nurture a diverse, equitable 
and inclusive work environment, making 
our employees feel welcome, providing 
a safe space for them to express who 
they choose to be and demonstrating our 
appreciation for their contributions. We 
also foster partnerships with organizations 
and take part in local, regional and national 
activities that encourage diversity, equity 
and inclusion. Air Canada has developed 
a holistic framework for its DEI initiatives 
called CARE, which targets four focus areas:  

1.  Community outreach: We are 

creating strong partnerships with 
underrepresented communities to 
support education and diverse talent. 
We unveiled a land acknowledgment 
plaque at our Montréal downtown 
office to recognize our commitment 
to supporting Indigenous inclusion and 
raising awareness about Indigenous 
culture. We continued our relationship 

Our Occupational Health and Safety 
(OHS) Program is designed to protect 
employees from occupational hazards, 
minimizing risks to their health and 
well-being. The program establishes 
procedures for dealing with workplace 
hazards and upholds high standards, 
including to meet our obligations 
under applicable laws and regulations.

We also continue to engage with other 
aviation organizations and authorities 
around the world to promote safety 
and to share best safety practices.

14   |

with Pinball Clemons Foundation 
to support marginalized youth in 
the Toronto area, further leveraging 
contributions and raising funds for 
six scholarships of $10,000, and we 
supported Black Aviation Professional 
Network’s youth programming event 
called Shooting for the Stars.

2.  Accountability: We are ensuring 

accountability through data-driven 
metrics that we share with internal 
and external stakeholders. To ensure 
our data-driven initiatives and policies 
resonate with our employees, we 
formalized employee resource groups 

(ERGs). At the end of 2023, there 
were six ERGs at Air Canada: Asians 
in Aviation, Black Employee Resource 
Group, Indigenous Employee Resource 
Group, Women in Aviation, Diverse 
Abilities and LGBTQ2+.

3.  Representation: We are consistently 
striving toward representation of 
underrepresented groups through all 
levels of our organization. We are a 
signatory to the IATA 25by25, which 
aims to advance gender balance by 
2025, and a signatory to the BlackNorth 
Initiative CEO Pledge that recognizes 
the need to create opportunities and 
foster inclusiveness for Black people 
and leaders in Canada. As part of the 
Pledge, Air Canada committed to 
have at least 3.5 per cent of board and 
executive roles held by Black leaders 
by 2025. Currently, 38% of Board 
members identify as women and 
15% identify as members of visible 
minorities. Air Canada and CAE named 
eight recipients of the fifth 
Captain Judy Cameron 
Scholarship for Aspiring 
Women in Aviation. 

4.  Engagement and 
belonging: We are 
ensuring company-
wide and targeted 
sensitization campaigns 
within our business as 
well as showcasing and 

celebrating Canadian diversity with our 
customers. In 2023, we implemented 
“Fostering Inclusion and Belonging” 
through Air Canada’s recognition 
program, Shine. Through Shine, 
employees can show appreciation for 
each other’s promotion of cultural 
awareness and sensitivity, and the 
respect of differences in perspectives 
and lived experiences. We supported 
Pride parades in Montréal, Toronto, 
Calgary and Vancouver, with over 
300 employees, families and friends 
participating. We also adapted our 
mentoring program with a DEI lens, 
with 180 employees mentored in 2023. 

ANNUAL REPORT 2023Accessibility 

Air Canada is committed to being 
a leader in accessible travel and 
employment, investing significant 
resources in accessibility and 
will continue to do so. In 2023, 
we released our first multi-year 
Accessibility Plan, reaffirming 
our commitment to enhance 
accessibility for employees and 
customers with disabilities.

Our plan includes 145 initiatives identified 
after research, expert consultations 
and feedback from travellers with 
disabilities, who took over 220 flights. 
The plan outlines our roadmap over 
the next three years to become a more 
accessible organization and contribute to 
Canada’s objective to be barrier-free by 
2040. We were also a key participant in 
drafting the Canadian Transport Agency’s 
Mobility Aids and Air Travel Final Report 
and were one of the first airlines to 
waive liability limits in international 
treaties to pay the full cost for damaged 
mobility equipment. 

In 2023, across our network, we had 
nearly 1.3 million special assistance 
requests related to accessibility from 
more than 500,000 customers. This 
continues into 2024: we are proud to be 
the first airline in North America to adopt 
the Sunflower program that will help us 
to better assist and serve our customers 
with non-visible disabilities. We’ve 
established an Accessibility Advisory 
Committee that will provide input from 
the perspective of our customers with 
disabilities to help guide Air Canada’s path 
and vision on accessibility. We believe 
in designing our product and service 
offerings and employment experience 
with accessibility in mind. As a partner 
to persons with disabilities, we have the 
following commitments: 

•  Engage with persons with disabilities 
and accessibility organizations to 
create a seamless and enjoyable travel 
experience for persons with disabilities, 
whether in services or in infrastructure, 
and to provide a fulfilling employment 
experience in the workplace.

•  Develop and enhance accessibility 

features, policies and processes that 
broaden travel and employment 
opportunities for persons with 
disabilities. 

•  Train our employees and provide 
them with tools to encourage co-
operation, lift barriers and implement 
accommodation for our customers and 
our employees. 

•  Promote a culture of respect 

and dignity in all our employees’ 
interactions with one another and 
with our customers and increase 
representation of persons with 
disabilities within our workforce. 

•  Collaborate with Canadian and 

international organizations and airport 
authorities and other partners in the 
aviation ecosystem to ensure the 
needs of persons with disabilities 
are considered in the workplace and 
throughout their travel experience.

We are committed to improve all aspects 
of employee interactions with customers 
with disabilities, including understanding 
their experiences in air travel. Around 
10,000 Air Canada airport employees 
will receive this training as part of a new 
annual, recurrent training program. Our 
newly appointed Director, Customer 
Accessibility is leading a team and managing 
the implementation of our accessibility plan 
together, serves as a common reference 
point and provides guidance for responsive 
management of disability issues.

|   15

ANNUAL REPORT 2023Official Languages
Air Canada is proud to offer 
services in the country’s two 
official languages: English 
and French. We are the only 
airline in Canada with official 
languages obligations under 
the Official Languages Act 
(OLA). We have honoured those obligations with steadfast 
commitment for more than 50 years, in a highly complex 
industry on a vast geographic breadth. Over time, we 
have developed unique expertise and have been leaders 
in implementing sustained initiatives to deliver services 
in both official languages in multiple locations and route 
combinations, and in promoting the use English and French 
in the workplace. In 2023, we announced our voluntary 
registration with the Office québécois de la langue française 
under the Charter of the French Language, reflecting our 
aim to contribute to the protection, promotion and reach 
of the French language, while complying with the OLA that 
applies to us. 

We are committed to advancing our Linguistic Action 
Plan and official languages maturity. We have dedicated 
resources to support this, through our Official Languages 
department. An Official Languages committee, composed 
of senior management from key functions, also supports 
these efforts by facilitating the implementation of official 
languages initiatives throughout our organization. A 
network of Official Languages supporters helps implement 
initiatives at each airport and in-flight service base.

IN 2023, AIR CANADA:

Sponsored the 25th edition of Rendez-vous de la Francophonie 
(RVF), one of Canada’s largest cultural events, in celebration of 
International Francophonie Day on March 20.

Supported the SuperFrancoFête festival in Quebec, celebrating 
the richness of the French language through music and culture.

Launched the first phase of the Language Buddy Program, which 
matches an employee who wishes to improve their language 
skills in English or French by practising with an employee.

Partnered with Coup de coeur francophone (CCF) to celebrate 
francophone music and culture in Canada.

16   |

Unlock the Best in You (UBY)
UBY is Air Canada’s unique, award-winning well-being 
program that offers personalized programs to employees 
and equips them with various resources, tools and expert 
advice on work health; mental health awareness; financial 
well-being; and health and wellness. Employees have easy 
access to the program’s newly designed wellness platform 
and mobile app.

We care for our employees and continue to nurture and 
invest in this program.

7 UBY WELLNESS DAYS  
IN CANADA AND THE U.S. WITH
3,100 employees 
ACTIVELY PARTICIPATING

3 FREE-ACCESS 

UBY WELLNESS 
CENTRES  
with 
3,700 employees 
REGISTERED

Grew UBY ambassador 
program:

•  168 UBY ambassadors 

•  77% of target 

population reached on 
UBY portal with almost 
30K unique visitors 

•  Mental health first 

aid training sessions 
introduced for 
employees and 
managers, with almost 
447 certified

•  Telemedicine service 

introduced

ANNUAL REPORT 2023More for employees 
As part of our approach to fostering a positive culture 
and an engaged and productive workforce, we have 
developed extensive programs for our employees 
including training and development. We focus on 
building a sustainable workforce and, as such, contribute 
to the socio-economic development of Canada and 
the global travel and tourism sector. We invest in 
development programs as well as informal coaching 
and mentoring, and we continually look for new ways 
to engage our workforce that can support community 
and cause.

AWARD OF EXCELLENCE
The 33rd edition boasted 
64 recipients of the 
Excellence Award — Air Canada’s 
highest form of honour that 
recognizes employees who 
stand out as role models in 
our organization. This also 
included our inaugural winner 
of the Dialogue Award, which 
recognizes and highlights 
our employees’ commitment 
and efforts in offering 
service in Canada’s official 
languages. Nominated by 
their peers, Excellence Award 
recipients consistently live 
by our values and rise higher 
by lifting up their colleagues 
and helping ensure we are our 
customer’s favourite choice.

Community
Air Canada’s Community Partnerships program 
supported more than 265 organizations in 2023, 
reflecting our corporate priorities: 

•  More than 75 million 

points were donated to 
122 charities through 
Aeroplan’s donation 
program.

•  Employees and friends 

raised over $123,000 for 
the Princess Margaret 
Cancer Centre as part 
of the annual Ride to 
Conquer Cancer in Toronto and more than $13,000 
to benefit the Jewish General Hospital’s world-
renowned Segal Cancer Centre during Le Week-end 
pour combattre le cancer in Montréal.

•  Named 10 recipients of the seventh edition of the 

Air Canada Sustainability Scholarship program, each 
of whom was awarded a $2,000 scholarship toward 
post-secondary studies. 

•  Operated special flights to bring Canadians home 

safely from Maui following the devastating wildfires 
on the Hawaiian island and two special flights from 
Athens to bring Canadians and permanent residents 
home from Israel.

•  Held fundraising appeals and matching campaigns for 
Morocco, Türkiye and Syria for earthquake emergency 
relief. 

•  Opened a drop-in centre at Montréal HQ to provide 
temporary relief to over 200 employees and their 
families after a severe ice storm in April.

|   17

ANNUAL REPORT 2023Air Canada Foundation 
Established in 2012, the Foundation 
provides financial or fundraising support 
to Canadian-registered charities focused 
on the health and well-being of children 
and youth in need. Over the past 11 years, 
the Air Canada Foundation has raised 
more than $10 million in support of its 
mission. In 2023, the Foundation:

•  Supported 360 charities in Canada. 

•  Awarded grants to 27 organizations 

committed to the health and well-being 
of children and youth across Canada 
(from the amounts raised in 2022). 

•  Raised more than $1.7 million, including 
a record-breaking amount of nearly 
$1.3 million (net) at its 11th annual golf 
tournament, the Foundation’s largest 
fundraising event.

•  Clinched a record-breaking 

Hospital Transportation Program 
matching week (67 million Aeroplan 
points raised), which helps support 
families with access to medical care 
away from home.

•  Provided over 300 flights to more 
than 200 children to access the 
medical care they need away from 
home. 

•  Resumed eight operations of 
Dreams Take Flights, giving 
a magical day to more than 
1,000 children.

•  Facilitated community volunteer 
opportunities for more than 
1,000 Air Canada employees.

18   |

ANNUAL REPORT 2023Building a responsible future

OUR CLIMATE ACTION GOALS ARE AMBITIOUS. 

We cannot achieve them on our own as we are heavily dependent on 
new technologies and the availability of sufficient sustainable aviation 
fuels and other renewable energies. We need governments, airports 
and other stakeholders to act decisively, to take concrete measures 
in support of infrastructure, energy transition and other initiatives 
that will allow the airline industry and Air Canada to decarbonize and 
achieve its climate action goals.

20%

GHG 
net reductions

from air operations 
compared to 2019 
baseline by 2030

30%

GHG 
net reductions

from ground operations 
compared to 2019 
baseline by 2030

$50M

investment fund

for new technologies such 
as as sustainable aviation 
fuels (SAF) as well as new 
aircraft or carbon reduction 
and removal technologies

|   19

ANNUAL REPORT 2023Air Canada’s climate 
action plan builds 
on its existing value 
streams and activities 
and is based on four key 
carbon reduction pillars 
that are central to the 
advancement of our 
climate objectives:

Fleet and operations 

Innovation 

We will, over time, evaluate the 
viability, safety and performance 
of new electric, hydrogen or 
hybrid propulsion technologies 
and will look for other innovative 
opportunities elsewhere in our 
operations.

Carbon reductions and 
removals

We are exploring carbon negative 
emission technologies and other 
direct emission reduction and 
removal strategies in addition to 
further developing our regulatory 
carbon offset compliance actions 
and customer offerings.

With our fleet renewal program, 
we will continue deploying 
more energy-efficient aircraft. 
We will continue to integrate 
climate factors in route and 
fleet planning. On the ground, 
we expect to phase out carbon-
intensive ground equipment and 
plan on further advancing electric 
vehicles use and seeking other 
electrification opportunities.

SAF and renewable energy 

To further our work on 
sustainable aviation fuels, we 
are investing in SAF and other 
low carbon aviation fuel (LCAF) 
technology development and are 
actively evaluating the practical 
applications of renewable energy 
sources, such as biogas and 
renewable electricity and energy 
transition measures. Air Canada 
firmly believes that a concrete 
action plan is required in Canada 
to establish a competitive 
investment climate and to capture 
the economic added value of SAF 
when it is made in Canada.

20   |

ANNUAL REPORT 202350

40

30

20

10

0

50

40

30

20

10

0

Air Canada's fuel efficiency

Rouge’s fuel efficiency

A321-XLR

787-10 Dreamliner

787 Dreamliner

737 MAX 8

A220-300

2005

2006

20 07

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024

2025

2026

2027

2028

2029

2030

TARGET 
OF

20% GHG net reductions

from air operations by 2030 
(compared to 2019 baseline)

FLEET AND OPERATIONS

By optimizing our operations and adopting next generation aircraft, we continously work toward improving our fuel efficiency of the 
people and freight we connect around the world.

Air Canada's fuel efficiency

Rouge’s fuel efficiency

53%

A321-XLR

787-10 Dreamliner

New-generation aircraft in 
the fleet by 2030

787 Dreamliner

737 MAX 8

A220-300

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024

2025

2026

2027

2028

2029

2030

The decline in fuel efficiency observed in 2021 and 2020 was attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic and its consequences on operations (borders closing, flight 
restrictions, telework, low demand, etc.). The load factors and irregularity in operations made it challenging to maintain certain efficiency levels. In 2022, 
Air Canada’s operations were ramping up and we observed a strong demand for travel, translating into pre-COVID fuel efficiency levels toward the end of the year 
(even better than 2019 levels).

INNOVATION

SAF AND RENEWABLE ENERGY

Our goal is to procure 
a minimum of 1% of 
our jet fuel use in SAF 
by 2025

SAF is a critical component of our global 
industry’s sustainability but is not 
currently available in Canada. Together 
with C-SAF, Air Canada is working with 
the federal and provincial governments in 
Canada to create a concrete action plan 
to establish a competitive investment 
climate and to capture the economic value 
add of SAF that is made in Canada.

17%–25%
Average 
range of CO2e 
emissions 
savings on 
new-generation 
aircraft

1% 
SAF 
by  
2025

We have committed to purchasing 
30 ES-30 hybrid-electric 
regional aircraft 
and we have invested US$10M 
into Heart Aerospace.

The hybrid aircraft, expected to enter 
service in 2028, is under development 
by Heart Aerospace of Sweden.

2022

2023

2024

2025

ACTUAL PROCURED SAF VOLUMES

ANTICIPATED SAF VOLUMES

CARBON REDUCTIONS AND REMOVALS

We are the first North American airline to join 
Airbus in purchasing carbon removal credits.

The credits are generated by direct air carbon capture 
(DACC) technology that pulls carbon dioxide directly 
out of the air at large, industrial scale.

CO2

|   21

ANNUAL REPORT 2023TARGET 
OF

30% GHG net reductions

from ground operations by 2030 
(compared to 2019 baseline)

FLEET AND OPERATIONS

CARBON REDUCTIONS AND REMOVALS

All projects are carefully 
selected based on their 
plurality in terms of SDG 
impact. The scope of our 
projects covers almost 
all of the SDG goals.

We purchased more than 867,000 tCO2e 
from six projects around the world.

Specific climate projects that Air Canada’s carbon offset 
partner, CHOOOSE, is supporting deliver benefits in 
Canada and abroad and align with UN Sustainable 
Development Goals. These projects target forestry in 
Canada, forest management and mangrove ecosystem in 
Central and South America and clean cooking solutions 
for Indigenous Peoples in South Asia. 

Please refer to the 2022 Citizens of the World report for 
information on the projects that focus on biodiversity 
and conservation.

Great Bear Forest Carbon 
Project (Canada)

© CHOOOSE

Our road to 2030 aims at electrifying 800 units 
across Canada.

1

2

Baggage tractors 
100% electrification

100% Canadian 
station electrification

GOAL 745 units

GOAL 21 units

3

Electric cargo 
equipment

GOAL 16 units

4

Electric conversion  
of existing GSEs

GOAL 150 units

SAF AND RENEWABLE ENERGY

We are working 
toward increasing 
the share of RNG 
volumes in our 
facilities.

10% RNG in YUL

Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) in our 
Montréal facilities was increased to 10% 
of overall volumes and we started adding 
volumes in our facilities in Vancouver.

Since January 1, 2023, we have been purchasing 
Renewable Energy Certificates (REC) for all 
electricity consumption across Canada*

* except Que., B.C., and Manitoba since their electricity carbon 
intensity is already very low.

22   |

ANNUAL REPORT 2023ESG highlights

Environmental

Continued fleet transition to more modern, efficient 
aircraft to lower emissions per seat

Announced acquisition of 18 Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner 
aircraft, contributing to our fuel-efficient fleet

First airline in North America to sign up for the Airbus 
Carbon Capture Offer, a scalable way to provide carbon 
removal credits for the aviation industry to advance on 
the climate goal of net-zero emissions by 2050

Sold environmental attributes associated with 2.4 M U.S. 
gallons of SAF

Announced convenient new air-to-rail connections in 
Europe for customers

Introduced electric shuttle for employees in Montréal, 
expanding electric shuttle program first launched in 2022

Enhanced the Aeroplan Flight Rewards Program with 
carbon offset compensations for associated flights

Partnered with IAGOS to outfit 1 Airbus A330 aircraft 
with special diagnostics sensors to collect valuable 
worldwide data on climate parameters for essential 
research on climate change and air quality on a 
global scale

Started collaborating with AIR COMPANY to explore 
development of power-to-liquid SAF in various 
North American markets

Introduced FSC (Forest Stewardship Council)-certified 
bamboo cutlery on board flights across our global network 
to minimize single-use plastic environmental impact

Expanded beehive program to three locations — 
Vancouver, Calgary and Halifax. Air Canada’s five hives 
exemplify the importance given to the regeneration 
of our ecosystems and serve as an educational tool for 
employees

Participated in three shoreline clean-ups in Montréal, 
Toronto and Vancouver, where 175 employees collected 
380 kilograms of trash

Selected and funded 12 community-focused 
environmental projects through the Jane Goodall Roots 
and Shoots Program. These projects address biodiversity 
loss, environmental inequity and climate change across 
Canada

Surpassed 60,000 water bottle refills by employees, 
helping reduce our employees’ plastic footprint. Each 
refill contributed to a donation directed toward ocean 
reforestation projects

Awarded 10 students with our 2023 Sustainability 
Scholarship for their commitment toward sustainability 
in various fields such as fine arts, life sciences, medicine, 
management, food science and engineering

|   23

ANNUAL REPORT 2023Social

Recognized for safety-first culture and innovative use 
of technology to promote workplace safety at OHS 
Honours (winner in OHS Culture and Best Use of Safety 
Technology categories)

Reported decline in 2023 lost-time-injury frequency rate

Held annual Safety and Health week in May, in 
collaboration with UBY wellness program, to raise 
awareness of injury and illness prevention

Employee town halls organized in Vancouver, Calgary, 
Toronto and Montréal

Opened drop-in centre at Montréal HQ to provide 
temporary relief to over 200 employees and their families 
after severe ice storm in April

Extended telemedicine service to all Canadian-based 
employees with more than 12,200 employees registered 
and over 7,100 family members registered 

Introduced mental  health first aid training sessions for 
employees and managers: 447 certified

Held seven UBY Wellness Days with over 3,100 employees 
attending

Launched three, free access UBY Wellness Centres for 
employees (3,700 registered)

Built up engagement with UBY program:

•  77% of employees visited UBY website and unique 

visitors totalled 29,500

•  Over 2,000 employees accessed UBY mobile app
•  Grew the UBY Ambassador program to 168 members 
•  Grew the UBY Viva Engage community through internal 

intranet with 798,261 views and 5,100 active users 

38% of Board members identify as women and 15% 
identify as members of visible minorities

Exceeded prior percentage levels of women in top levels 
of organization and increased overall number of visible 
minorities

Adapted mentoring program with a DEI lens, mentoring 
180 individuals throughout company

24   |

ANNUAL REPORT 2023Unveiled land acknowledgment plaque at Montréal downtown office to recognize commitment to 
supporting Indigenous inclusion and raising awareness about Indigenous culture

Air Canada and CAE celebrated fifth anniversary of Captain Judy Cameron Scholarship

Held Black History Month celebratory flight for second consecutive year

Continued relationship with Pinball Clemons Foundation to support marginalized youth in the Toronto 
area, further leveraging contribution and raising funds for six scholarships of $10,000, and supported 
Black Aviation Professional Network’s youth programming event called Shooting for the Stars

Supported Pride parades in Montréal, Toronto, Calgary and Vancouver, with over 300 employees, 
families and friends participating

Forged historic partnership with new Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) ahead of its 
inaugural season opener on January 1, 2024

The Air Canada Foundation supported 360 charities in Canada (from coast to coast to coast)

Resumed operations of eight Dreams Take Flights, giving a magical day to more than 1,000 kids

Supported Government of Canada in bringing Canadians home from Israel with special flights

Supported Morocco, Türkiye and Syria appeals for earthquake emergency relief, with employee 
donations matched by  Air Canada Foundation for total contribution of $20,000

Every Bit Counts relaunched with Breakfast Club of Canada the 2023 recipient of funds

|   25

ANNUAL REPORT 2023Governance

Amended Board and Committee charters to reflect climate and 
sustainability priorities.

AI governance framework anchored in a new generative AI policy

Further matured Corporate Sustainability Working Group that tracks and 
co-ordinates corporate sustainability initiatives, under the oversight of 
Corporate Sustainability Steering Committee

Advanced initiatives through the Cross Functional Working Group, which 
reports to and receives guidance from the Climate Steering Committee

Implemented four structural DEI pillars: DEI Executive Council, DEI Steering 
Committee, DEI Champions Program, formalization of ERGs 

Launched multi-year Accessibility Plan

Appointed Director of Customer Accessibility to lead team and 
implementation of Accessibility Plan

Created multi-year (2024–27) official languages strategic plan

Implementing Linguistic Action Plan; OQLF voluntary registration

Established Official Languages department, with centralized training, 
testing and technical resources

Further matured Official Languages Committee and established Comité de 
francisation

26   |

ANNUAL REPORT 2023Board of Directors and Committees 
Air Canada is governed by a 13-member Board of Directors. The Air Canada Board of Directors has four standing committees, all of 
which are entirely composed of independent directors. The roles and responsibilities of each committee are set out in formal written 
charters. These charters are reviewed annually to ensure that they reflect best practices as well as applicable regulatory requirements.

Audit, Finance  
and Risk 
Committee 

Governance and  
Nominating 
Committee 

Human Resources, 
Compensation 
and Pension 
Committee 

Safety, Health, 
Environment  
and Security

Vagn Sørensen  
Chair of the Board, Air Canada 

London, U.K.

Amee Chande  
Corporate Director and Strategy Consultant 

Member

Member

Chair

Member

British Columbia, Canada

Christie J.B. Clark  
Corporate Director 

Ontario, Canada

Gary A. Doer  
Corporate Director 

Manitoba, Canada 

Rob Fyfe  
Corporate Director 

Auckland, New Zealand 

Michael M. Green  
Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, 
Tenex Capital Management 

Florida, U.S.

Jean Marc Huot  
Partner, Stikeman Elliott LLP 

Quebec, Canada

Claudette McGowan  
Chief Executive Officer, Protexxa Inc.

Member

Ontario, Canada

Madeleine Paquin  
Corporate Director 

Quebec, Canada

Michael Rousseau  
President and Chief Executive Officer, Air Canada

Member

Member

Member 

Chair

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Quebec, Canada

Kathleen Taylor  
Corporate Director 

Ontario, Canada

Member

Member

Chair

Annette Verschuren  
Chair and Chief Executive Officer, NRStor Inc.

Member

Chair

Ontario, Canada

Michael M. Wilson  
Corporate Director 

Alberta, Canada

Member 

Member

|   27

ANNUAL REPORT 2023Executive Officers

Michael Rousseau

President and Chief Executive Officer 

Craig Landry

Executive Vice President and 
Chief Operations Officer 

Marc Barbeau

Executive Vice President

Chief Legal Officer and 
Corporate Secretary

John Di Bert

Executive Vice President and  
Chief Financial Officer

Mark Nasr

Executive Vice President,  
Marketing and Digital, and  
President of Aeroplan

Arielle Meloul-Wechsler

Executive Vice President,  
Chief Human Resources Officer  
and Public Affairs 

Mark Galardo

Executive Vice President,  
Revenue and Network Planning

Kevin O’Connor 

Senior Vice President,  
Global Airports and  
Operations Control 

Murray Strom 

Senior Vice President, 
Flight Operations and Maintenance 

28   |

ANNUAL REPORT 2023Investor and Shareholder information

TSX price range and trading volume of Air Canada variable voting shares 
and voting shares (AC)

For further information

First quarter

Second quarter

Third quarter

Fourth quarter

LOW

$17.63

$18.25

$18.72

$16.04

HIGH

$23.54

25.00

$26.04

$19.51

VOLUME

150,056,337

153,649,261

122,767,463

137,357,011

SHAREHOLDER RELATIONS 

Telephone: 514-422-6644 

Facsimile: 514-422-0296 

shareholders.actionnaires@aircanada.ca 

Full year

$16.04

$26.04

563,830,072

INVESTOR RELATIONS 

Restrictions on voting securities 

The Canada Transportation Act limits the permitted level of foreign ownership 
of Canadian air carriers to 49 per cent and caps the voting rights of any 
single non-Canadian and of the aggregate of non-Canadian air carriers to 
25 per cent. 

For additional information, see section 10 of Air Canada’s 2023 Annual 
Information Form dated March 4, 2024.

Telephone: 514-422-7849 

Facsimile: 514-422-7877 

investors.investisseurs@aircanada.ca 

HEAD OFFICE 

AIR CANADA CENTRE 

7373 Côte-Vertu Boulevard West  
Saint-Laurent, Québec H4S 1Z3 

Internet: aircanada.com 

TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR

TSX TRUST

1701 – 1190 Avenue des Canadiens-de-Montréal 
Montréal, Que., H3B 0G7

Telephone: 1-800-387-0825 (Canada and United States) 
416-682-3860 (other countries) 

Email: shareholderinquiries@tmx.com 

Web: tsxtrust.com 

|   29

ANNUAL REPORT 20232023

Management’s Discussion 
and Analysis of Results of 
Operations and Financial 
Condition

February 16, 2024

1

Selected Financial Metrics and Statistics

The financial and operating highlights for Air Canada for the periods indicated are as follows:

(Canadian dollars in millions, except per share data or where indicated)

Fourth Quarter

Full Year

Financial Performance Metrics

2023

2022

$ Change

2023

2022

$ Change

Operating revenues
Operating income (loss)
Operating margin (1) (%)
Adjusted EBITDA (2)
Adjusted EBITDA margin (2) (%)
Income (loss) before income taxes
Net income (loss)
Adjusted pre-tax income (loss) (2)
Adjusted net income (loss) (2)
Total liquidity (3)
Net cash flows from operating activities
Free cash flow (2)
Net debt (2)
Diluted earnings (loss) per share 
Adjusted earnings (loss) per share (2) 

5,175
79
1.5
521
10.1
122
184
(47)
(44)
10,290
985 
669 
4,567 
0.41
(0.12)

4,680
(28)
(0.6)
389
8.3
146
168
(211)
(217)
9,824
647 
320 
7,495 
0.41
(0.61)

495
107
2.1 pp (8)
132
1.8 pp
(24)
16
164
173
466
338 
349 
(2,928)
-
0.49

21,833
2,279
10.4
3,982
18.2
2,212
2,276
1,693
1,713
10,290
4,320 
2,756 
4,567 
5.96
4.56

16,556
(187)
(1.1)
1,457
8.8
(1,524)
(1,700)
(952)
(988)
9,824
2,368 
796 
7,495 
(4.75)
(2.76)

5,277
2,466
11.5 pp
2,525
9.4 pp
3,736
3,976
2,645
2,701
466
1,952 
1,960 
(2,928)
10.71
7.32

Operating Statistics (4)

2023

2022

Change %

2023

2022

Change %

Revenue passenger miles (RPMs) (millions)
Available seat miles (ASMs) (millions)
Passenger load factor %
Passenger revenue per RPM (Yield) (cents) 
Passenger revenue per ASM (PRASM) (cents) 
Operating revenue per ASM (cents)
Operating expense per ASM (CASM) (cents) 
Adjusted CASM (cents) (2)
Average number of full-time-equivalent (FTE) 
employees (thousands) (5)
Aircraft in operating fleet at period-end 
Seats dispatched (thousands)
Aircraft frequencies (thousands)
Average stage length (miles) (6)
Fuel cost per litre (cents)
Fuel litres (thousands)
Revenue passengers carried (thousands) (7)

20,405
24,439
83.5%
22.3
18.6
21.2
20.9
14.2

18,525
22,368
82.8%
21.9
18.2
20.9
21.1
13.7

10.1
9.3
0.7 pp
1.8
2.6
1.2
(0.9)
4.1

85,802
99,012
86.7%
22.6
19.6
22.1
19.8
13.5

66,495
82,558
80.5%
21.4
17.2
20.1
20.3
13.2

36.4

33.2

9.7

35.7

30.5

361
13,636 
93.4
1,792 
117.6

345
12,690 
89.9
1,763 
134.3
1,178,926 1,084,569
10,098

10,899

5
7.4
3.9
1.7
(12.4)

345
361
47,038 
54,026 
340.5
373.1
1,755 
1,833 
130.1
111.6
8.7 4,751,692 4,056,788
36,144
7.9

44,790

29.0
19.9
6.1 pp
6.0
13.6
10.0
(2.6)
2.2

17.1

5
14.9
9.6
4.4
(14.2)
17.1
23.9

(1)  Operating margin is a supplementary financial measure and is defined as operating income (loss) as a percentage of operating revenues.
(2)  Adjusted EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization), adjusted EBITDA margin, adjusted pre-tax income (loss), adjusted net income (loss), free cash flow, net debt, adjusted earnings (loss) per 
share, and adjusted CASM are non-GAAP financial measures, capital management measures, non-GAAP ratios or supplementary financial measures. Such measures are not recognized measures for financial statement 
presentation under GAAP, do not have standardized meanings, may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other entities and should not be considered a substitute for or superior to GAAP results. Refer to 
section 20 “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” of this MD&A for descriptions of Air Canada’s non-GAAP financial measures and for a quantitative reconciliation of Air Canada’s non-GAAP financial measures to the most 
comparable GAAP measure.

(3)  Total liquidity refers to the sum of cash, cash equivalents, short and long-term investments, and the amounts available under Air Canada’s credit facilities. Total liquidity, as at December 31, 2023, of $10,290 million 

consisted of $9,295 million in cash, cash equivalents, short and long-term investments and $995 million available under undrawn credit facilities. As at December 31, 2022, total liquidity of $9,824 million consisted of 
$8,811 million in cash and cash equivalents, short and long-term investments, and $1,013 million available under undrawn credit facilities. These amounts also include funds ($393 million as at December 31, 2023 and 
$386 million as at December 31, 2022) held in trust by Air Canada Vacations in accordance with regulatory requirements governing advance sales for tour operators. 

(4)  Except for the reference to average number of FTE employees, operating statistics in this table include third party carriers operating under capacity purchase agreements with Air Canada.
(5)  Reflects FTE employees at Air Canada and its subsidiaries. Excludes FTE employees at third party carriers operating under capacity purchase agreements with Air Canada. 
(6)  Average stage length is calculated by dividing the total number of available seat miles by the total number of seats dispatched.
(7)  Revenue passengers are counted on a flight number basis (rather than by journey/itinerary or by leg) which is consistent with the IATA definition of revenue passengers carried.
(8)  “pp” denotes percentage points and refers to a measure of the arithmetic difference between two percentages.

32   |

ANNUAL REPORT 20232

Introduction and Key Assumptions

In this Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Results of 
Operations and Financial Condition (“MD&A”), the Corporation 
refers, as the context may require, to Air Canada and/or one 
or more of Air Canada’s subsidiaries, including its wholly 
owned operating subsidiaries, Aeroplan Inc. (Aeroplan), 
Touram Limited Partnership, doing business under the brand 
name Air Canada Vacations® (Air Canada Vacations), and 
Air Canada Rouge LP, doing business under the brand name 
Air Canada Rouge® (Air Canada Rouge). This MD&A provides 
the reader with a review and analysis, from the perspective of 
management, of Air Canada’s financial results for the fourth 
quarter and full year 2023. This MD&A should be read in 
conjunction with Air Canada’s 2023 annual audited consolidated 
financial statements and notes dated February 16, 2024. All 
financial information has been prepared in accordance with 
generally accepted accounting principles in Canada (GAAP), as set 
out in the CPA Canada Handbook – Accounting (CPA Handbook), 
which incorporates International Financial Reporting Standards 
(IFRS), as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board 
(IFRS Accounting Standards), except for any non-GAAP measures 
and any financial information specifically denoted otherwise.

Except as otherwise noted, monetary amounts are stated in 
Canadian dollars. For an explanation of certain terms used in this 
MD&A, refer to section 21 “Glossary” of this MD&A. Except as 
otherwise noted or where the context may otherwise require, this 
MD&A is current as of February 15, 2024.

Forward-looking statements are included in this MD&A. See 
“Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Information” below for 
a discussion of risks, uncertainties and assumptions relating to 
these statements. For a description of risks relating to Air Canada, 
refer to section 18 “Risk Factors” of this MD&A. Air Canada issued 
a news release dated February 16, 2024 reporting on its results 
for the fourth quarter and full year 2023. This news release 
is available on Air Canada’s website at aircanada.com and on 
SEDAR+ website at www.sedarplus.com. For further information 
on Air Canada’s public disclosures, including Air Canada’s Annual 
Information Form, consult SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.com.

Caution Regarding Forward-Looking 
Information
Air Canada’s public communications may include forward-
looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities 
laws. Forward-looking statements relate to analyses and other 
information that are based on forecasts of future results and 
estimates of amounts not yet determinable. These statements 
may involve, but are not limited to, comments relating to 
guidance, strategies, expectations, planned operations or 
future actions. Forward-looking statements are identified using 
terms and phrases such as “preliminary”, “anticipate”, “believe”, 
“could”, “estimate”, “expect”, “intend”, “may”, “plan”, “predict”, 
“project”, “will”, “would”, and similar terms and phrases, including 
references to assumptions.

Forward-looking statements, by their nature, are based on 
assumptions including those described herein and are subject to 
important risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements 

cannot be relied upon due to, among other things, changing 
external events and general uncertainties of the business of 
Air Canada. Actual results may differ materially from results 
indicated in forward-looking statements due to a number of 
factors, including those discussed below.

Factors that may cause results to differ materially from results 
indicated in forward-looking statements include economic 
conditions as well as geopolitical conditions such as the military 
conflicts in the Middle East and between Russia and Ukraine, 
Air Canada’s ability to successfully achieve or sustain positive 
net profitability, industry and market conditions and the 
demand environment, competition, Air Canada’s dependence 
on technology, cybersecurity risks, interruptions of service, 
climate change and environmental factors (including weather 
systems and other natural phenomena and factors arising 
from anthropogenic sources), Air Canada’s dependence on key 
suppliers (including government agencies and other stakeholders 
supporting airport and airline operations), employee and labour 
relations and costs, Air Canada’s ability to successfully implement 
appropriate strategic and other important initiatives (including 
Air Canada’s ability to manage operating costs), energy prices, 
Air Canada’s ability to pay its indebtedness and maintain or 
increase liquidity, Air Canada’s dependence on regional and 
other carriers, Air Canada’s ability to attract and retain required 
personnel, epidemic diseases, changes in laws, regulatory 
developments or proceedings, terrorist acts, war, Air Canada’s 
ability to successfully operate its loyalty program, casualty losses, 
Air Canada’s dependence on Star Alliance® and joint ventures, 
Air Canada’s ability to preserve and grow its brand, pending and 
future litigation and actions by third parties, currency exchange 
fluctuations, limitations due to restrictive covenants, insurance 
issues and costs, and pension plan obligations as well as the 
factors identified in Air Canada’s public disclosure file available 
at www.sedarplus.com and, in particular, those identified in 
section 18 “Risk Factors” of this MD&A. 

Air Canada has and continues to establish targets, make 
commitments and assess the impact regarding climate change, 
and related initiatives, plans and proposals that Air Canada and 
other stakeholders (including government, regulatory and other 
bodies) are pursuing in relation to climate change and carbon 
emissions. The achievement of our commitments and targets 
depends on many factors, including the combined actions of 
governments, industry, suppliers and other stakeholders and 
actors, as well as the development and implementation of new 
technologies. In particular, our 2030 and 2050 carbon emission 
related targets are ambitious, and heavily dependent on new 
technologies, renewable energies and the availability of sufficient 
a supply of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) which continues to 
present serious challenges.  In addition, Air Canada has incurred, 
and expects to continue to incur, costs to achieve its goal of 
net-zero carbon emissions and to comply with environmental 
sustainability legislation and regulation and other standards 
and accords. The precise nature of future binding or non-binding 
legislation, regulation, standards and accords, on which local and 
international stakeholders are increasingly focusing, cannot be 
predicted with any degree of certainty, nor can their financial, 

|   33

ANNUAL REPORT 2023Incorporation of Other Information
No information contained on or accessed via Air Canada’s 
websites (or any other website referred to in this MD&A), and no 
document referred to in this MD&A, is incorporated into or forms 
part of this MD&A, except if it is expressly stated in this MD&A to 
be incorporated into this MD&A.

operational or other impact. There can be no assurance of the 
extent to which any of our climate goals will be achieved or that 
any future investments that we make in furtherance of achieving 
our climate goals will produce the expected results or meet 
increasing stakeholder environmental, social and governance 
expectations. Moreover, future events could lead Air Canada to 
prioritize other nearer-term interests over progressing toward 
our current climate goals based on business strategy, economic, 
regulatory and social factors, and potential pressure from 
investors, activist groups or other stakeholders. If we are unable 
to meet or properly report on our progress toward achieving our 
climate change goals and commitments, we could face adverse 
publicity and reactions from investors, customers, advocacy 
groups or other stakeholders, which could result in reputational 
harm or other adverse effects to Air Canada. The forward-looking 
statements contained or incorporated by reference in this MD&A 
represent Air Canada’s expectations as of the date of this MD&A 
(or as of the date they are otherwise stated to be made) and are 
subject to change after such date. However, Air Canada disclaims 
any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-
looking statements, whether because of new information, future 
events or otherwise, except as required under applicable securities 
regulations. 

Key Assumptions
Assumptions were made by Air Canada in preparing and making 
forward-looking statements. As part of its assumptions, 
Air Canada assumes moderate Canadian GDP growth for 2024. 
Air Canada also assumes that the Canadian dollar will trade, 
on average, at C$1.33 per U.S. dollar for the full year 2024 and 
that the price of jet fuel will average C$1.00 per litre for the full 
year 2024.

Intellectual Property
Air Canada owns or has rights to trademarks, service marks or 
trade names used in connection with the operation of its business. 
In addition, Air Canada’s names, logos and website names and 
addresses are owned or licensed by Air Canada. Air Canada also 
owns or has the rights to copyrights that also protect the content 
of its products and/or services. Solely for convenience, the 
trademarks, service marks, trade names and copyrights referred 
to in this MD&A may be listed without the ©, ® and TM symbols, 
but Air Canada reserves all rights to assert, to the fullest extent 
under applicable law, its rights, or the rights of the applicable 
licensors to these trademarks, service marks, trade names and 
copyrights. This MD&A may also include trademarks, service 
marks or trade names of other parties. Air Canada’s use or display 
of other parties’ trademarks, service marks, trade names or 
products is not intended to, and does not imply a relationship 
with, or endorsement or sponsorship of Air Canada by, the 
trademark, service mark or trade name owners or licensees.

34   |

ANNUAL REPORT 20233

About Air Canada

Air Canada is the largest provider 
of scheduled passenger services in 
the Canadian market, the Canada-
U.S. transborder market, and in the 
international market to and from Canada. 
Its mission is connecting Canada and the 
world.

Air Canada enhances its domestic and 
transborder network through commercial 
agreements with regional carriers, 
including a capacity purchase agreement 
(CPA) with Jazz Aviation LP (Jazz), a wholly 
owned subsidiary of Chorus Aviation Inc., 
operating flights on behalf of Air Canada 
under the Air Canada Express brand. 
Regional flying forms an integral part 
of the airline’s international network 
strategy, providing valuable traffic feed to 
Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge routes.

Air Canada is a founding member of the 
Star Alliance® network. Through the 
26-member airline network, Air Canada 
offers its customers access to a wide 
global network, as well as reciprocal 
participation in frequent flyer programs, a 
seamless travel experience and improved 
customer service, including the use of 
airport lounges and other common 
airport facilities. 

Air Canada’s Aeroplan program is Canada’s 
premier travel loyalty program. The 
Aeroplan program allows individuals 
to enrol as members and accumulate 
Aeroplan points through travel on 
Air Canada and select partners, as well 
as through the purchase of products 
and services from participating partners 
and suppliers. Members can redeem 
Aeroplan points for a variety of travel, 
merchandise, gift cards and other rewards 
provided directly by participating partners 
or made available through Aeroplan’s 
suppliers. Aeroplan Elite Status recognizes 
Air Canada’s frequent flyers, as well as 
Aeroplan’s most engaged members, with 
a range of priority travel services and 
membership benefits.

Air Canada Cargo, a division of Air Canada, 
is a global cargo service provider, offering 
cargo services on passenger flights and on 
dedicated Boeing 767 freighter aircraft. 

Air Canada Vacations is a leading Canadian 
tour operator, developing, marketing and 
distributing vacation travel packages in the 
outbound leisure travel market (Caribbean, 
Mexico, U.S., Europe, central and South 
America, South Pacific, Australia and Asia) 
and the inbound leisure travel market to 
destinations within Canada, and offering 
cruise packages in North America, Europe 
and the Caribbean. Air Canada Rouge is 
Air Canada’s leisure carrier. 

|   35

ANNUAL REPORT 20234

Overview

The year 2023 was pivotal for Air Canada. Having stabilized and recovered from the COVID-19 pandemic, Air Canada achieved sound 
financial results while significantly progressing on its strategic priorities.  Air Canada’s full year financial results and operational 
performance improved from 2022, despite the challenges and uncertainties posed by geopolitical events, inflationary pressures and 
supply chain issues affecting the aerospace industry. While COVID-19-related travel restrictions and health measures were still present 
in 2022, in Canada, most of the remaining restrictions were eased leading into the summer of 2022 and, effective October 1, 2022, all 
remaining Government of Canada restrictions were lifted.

During 2023, Air Canada continued to invest in new products and services, strengthen its various partnerships and advance its 
innovation agenda. The main drivers for the year over year improvements in its financial and operating results included: 

20%  
year-over-
year increase 
in operated 
capacity.

188 direct 
destinations 
compared to 
185 destinations 
in 2022.

1,025 average 
daily flights, 
compared to 
945 average 
daily flights in 
2022.

Year-over-
year increase 
in yields 
driven by a 
strong pricing 
environment.

Strong 
demand for 
premium 
products in all 
markets.

Strengthened 
partnerships 
and 
collaborations.

Corporate Strategy
Air Canada’s vision is predicated on leveraging the solid foundation it has built over the past several years to restore and rebuild toward 
its global champion ambition, while taking advantage of groundbreaking opportunities and continuing to execute on Air Canada’s 
unwavering commitment to safety, service excellence and the customer journey.

Air Canada is evolving its business for the future. “Rise Higher,” Air Canada’s business imperatives framework supporting its corporate 
strategy, is intended to elevate everything about its business. In pursuing its Rise Higher principles, Air Canada is working to:

Fund its future by staying 
vigilant on costs, seizing on 
opportunities and making the 
right strategic investments.

Reach new frontiers  
by embracing its competitive 
strengths to grow its business, 
expanding its international 
reach and exploring new 
opportunities.

Foster a collaborative 
workplace that respects 
all diverse cultures and 
contributions to society.

Elevate its customers 
by supporting the creation 
of meaningful customer 
experiences and human 
connections, such as by 
leveraging innovations in 
technology, loyalty program 
and products. 

36   |

ANNUAL REPORT 20232023 Highlights

Funding the future

Air Canada prepaid about 
$1.3 billion of outstanding debt, 
including financing on 33 Airbus 
A220 and five Boeing 787-8 

aircraft. As a result of prepayments, these 
aircraft have been added to Air Canada’s 
unencumbered asset pool, bringing the 
total estimated value to approximately 
$6.6 billion at December 31, 2023, 
excluding the value of Aeroplan. At 
December 31, 2023, Air Canada’s 
leverage ratio was 1.1, a significant 
improvement from a leverage ratio of 5.1 
at December 31, 2022.

Air Canada added 12 aircraft to its operating 
fleet, which consisted of six wide-body 
aircraft, including two Boeing 767 freighters, 
and six narrow-body aircraft. In 2023, 
Air Canada also entered into agreements 
to acquire 18 Boeing 787-10 aircraft with 
options for an additional 12 aircraft. 
Deliveries are expected to begin in the 
fourth quarter of 2025 with the last delivery 
scheduled for the first quarter of 2027.

Reaching New Frontiers

Air Canada continued to 
restore its North American and 
international network, resulting 
in a 20% increase in operated 

capacity from 2022.

In the domestic market, Air Canada 
resumed several seasonal routes, increased 
frequencies on certain domestic routes 
and launched non-stop services between 
Montréal and Fort McMurray, and 
between Toronto and Yellowknife. In the 
transborder market, Air Canada launched 
routes between Toronto and Montréal 
to New York JFK airport and between 
Toronto and Sacramento, restored 
13 transborder routes and increased 
frequency on over a dozen U.S. routes. For 
international markets, Air Canada added 
new transatlantic services to Brussels, 
Amsterdam, Toulouse, Copenhagen and 
Dubai. It also resumed key Asia services 
to Tokyo-Haneda and Osaka, increased 
frequencies and extended seasonal routes 
to various destinations in the Atlantic, 
Pacific and South America regions.

In July, Air Canada began operating to 
Terminal 3 at Dubai International Airport, 
marking a significant customer service 
milestone in its strategic partnership with 
Emirates. More specifically, Air Canada 
customers transiting in Dubai between 
the Americas and the Middle East, Indian 
subcontinent, Southeast Asia and Africa on 
Emirates enjoy a seamless and expedited 
experience with the convenience of 
remaining in the same terminal.

|   37

ANNUAL REPORT 2023Aeroplan

Aeroplan rolled out new ways to earn 
rewards and worked with partners to 
launch benefits that make it a must-
have travel companion for frequent 
and occasional travellers. The 
milestones and recognitions included:

•  Reaching eight million active 

members. 

•  Launching a loyalty partnership 

with Parkland Corporation.

•  Expanding a partnership with Uber 
Canada, allowing members to also 
earn points on grocery and retail 
deliveries with Uber Eats.

•  Being recognized with several 
prestigious Freddie Awards, 
including Airline Program of the 
Year, Best Promotion and Best 
Redemption Ability.

•  Earning top honours at Canada’s 

Choice 2023 Travel Loyalty Awards, 
where Aeroplan was named Top 
Airline Loyalty Program. 

Cargo

Air Canada Cargo began operating 
freighter services in 2022 and 
continued deployments in 2023 to 
over a dozen destinations, including 
Toronto, Halifax, St. John’s, Miami, 
Atlanta, Dallas, Quito, Lima, San Juan, 
Mexico City, Guadalajara, Bogotá, 
Madrid, Frankfurt, Basel and Liege. 
Air Canada also enhanced its interline 
co-operation with Emirates SkyCargo, 
which allows customers to book 
interline cargo shipments through the 
Emirates SkyCargo flights, including 
between the Americas and Southeast 
Asia and India, through key European 
hubs.

At the end of 2023, Air Canada Cargo 
operated a fleet of seven Boeing 767 
freighters compared to three 
767 freighters in operation at the 
end of 2022.

Elevating the Customer 

In September, Air Canada was 
recognized with the 2024 APEX 
Five Star Global Airline Award. 
This was the fifth time in six years 
that Air Canada was awarded an APEX Five 
Star rating, which is based on customer 
feedback. Other awards Air Canada 
received in 2023 for its products and 
services include:

•  Best Airline in Canada from Skytrax 

World Airline Awards

•  Best Airline Staff in Canada from 
Skytrax World Airline Awards

•  Best Low-Cost Airline in Canada 

(Air Canada Rouge) from Skytrax World 
Airline Awards

•  Favourite Airline in North America from 
the Trazee Awards (fifth consecutive 
year)

•  Best Airline for Onboard Entertainment 
from Global Traveler (fifth consecutive 
year)

•  Passenger Choice Award for Best 
Entertainment in North America 
from the Airline Passenger Experience 
Association (APEX)

38   |

ANNUAL REPORT 2023Inclusive Workplace and Impact 
on Society

Air Canada was named One 
of Canada’s Best Employers 
for the eighth consecutive 
year and One of Canada’s Best 

Diversity Employers, both by Forbes. 
The carrier was also recognized as 
one of “Montréal’s Top Employers” for 
2023 in Mediacorp Canada’s annual 
employer survey for the 10th straight 
year. Air Canada was selected for its 
employee wellness programs covering 
both physical and mental health, 
the philosophy of growing roles and 
offering diverse opportunities based 
on various skill sets, along with its 
internal and external diversity, equity 
and inclusion initiatives. Air Canada 
was also recognized as one of Achievers 
50 Most Engaged Workplaces for 
2023 for the sixth straight year, and 
received the Outstanding Commitment 
to Employment Equity Award, the 
Sector Distinction Award, both under 
the Employment Equity Achievement 
Awards, and the 2023 Innovative 
HR Teams Award by HRD Canada.

Air Canada continued its efforts to 
enhance its diversity, equity and 
inclusion practices, including by 
growing its employee base, providing 
trainings, fostering partnerships with 
organizations and participating in local, 
regional and national activities. These 
programs and initiatives fall under the 
DEI holistic framework called CARE, 
targeting four focus areas: 

1) Community outreach;

2) Accountability; 

3) Representation; and 

4) Engagement and belonging.

Under Air Canada’s Accessibility Plan 2023–26 released last June, Air Canada seeks 
to reduce barriers and make travel simpler, more comfortable and consistently 
reliable for customers with disabilities. In November 2023, Air Canada announced 
it was accelerating the Air Canada Accessibility Plan through a series of measures to 
remove barriers and improve the travel experience for its customers with disabilities. 
These measures included:

•  Investments in new equipment at Canadian airports, such as lifts, to ensure that 

Air Canada can meet the expectations of its customers.

•  Mobility aids will be stored in the aircraft cabin when possible. When mobility aids 
are stored in the cargo hold, new systems are being put in place to track them in 
transit, including a process to confirm mobility aids are properly loaded before 
departure.

•  Enhanced training will be supplied to improve all aspects of employee interactions 
with customers with disabilities, including understanding customer experiences in 
air travel.

•  New senior position of Director, Customer Accessibility who leads a team to 

manage implementation of the company’s accessibility plan as well as provide a 
resource and common reference point for responsive management of disability 
issues.

Air Canada also created a Customer Accessibility Advisory Committee consisting 
initially of four members with disabilities representing four well known Canadian 
disability organizations. Their role will be to provide guidance and advice on 
accessibility priorities and initiatives going forward.

|   39

ANNUAL REPORT 2023Additional details on Air Canada’s 
social impact and advancements 
on its sustainability strategy will be 
communicated including through 
Air Canada’s upcoming Air Canada 
Foundation 2023 Impact Report and 
the 2023 Corporate Sustainability 
Report.

In pursuit of its Rise Higher ambition, 
in 2024, Air Canada will continue 
to build upon and leverage its key 
assets and numerous competitive 
advantages, including:

•  Its talented people and award-

winning culture.

•  A streamlined, modern, fuel-
efficient and versatile fleet 
with market-leading aircraft 
configurations.

•  A global network, well positioned 
to meet demand from various 
customer segments and enhanced 
by the airline’s membership in 
Star Alliance® and by numerous 
commercial arrangements.

•  A widely recognized and powerful 

brand.

•  A customer experience enhanced 
by competitive products and 
services, including the Aeroplan 
program.

•  Air Canada Rouge, a lower-cost 
leisure carrier, and Air Canada 
Vacations, a leading Canadian tour 
operator.

•  An expanded cargo offering that 
leverages network synergies 
between the passenger and the 
dedicated freighter fleet.

•  New core technologies and other 
technological improvements.

•  A commitment to sustainability.

The airline continued to promote bilingualism 
through its strengthened official languages 
programs, practices and course offerings, all key 
elements of its Canadian identity and culture.

Regarding annual fundraising events for children 
and families in need, Air Canada and the 
Air Canada Foundation reported record outcomes. 
For instance, in 2023, the Aeroplan points Matching Week raised a record 67 million 
Aeroplan Points for families needing access to hospital care. It was the most 
successful points matching campaign in the two-decade history of the initiative 
The 11th annual Air Canada Foundation Golf Tournament raised a record of nearly 
$1.3 million in support of charitable organizations that are dedicated to the health 
and well-being of children and youth across Canada.

Air Canada’s Climate Action Plan builds on its existing value streams and 
activities and is based on four key carbon reduction pillars that are central to the 
advancement of Air Canada’s climate objectives: Fleet and operations; Innovation: 
SAF and renewable energy; and Carbon reductions and removals. The Plan includes 
ambitious milestones for Air Canada to achieve its equally ambitious long-term goal 
of net-zero emissions by 2050. In defining this pathway, 2030 absolute mid-term 
GHG net reduction targets were set: 

•  20% GHG net reductions from air operations by 2030 compared to 2019 baseline.

•  30% GHG net reductions from ground operations by 2030 compared to 

2019 baseline.

•  $50-million investment for low-carbon technologies to accelerate 

decarbonization, such as sustainable aviation fuel, and new aircraft technologies. 

40   |

ANNUAL REPORT 2023Fourth Quarter 2023 Financial Summary
The following is an overview of Air Canada’s results of operations 
and financial position for the fourth quarter 2023 compared to 
the fourth quarter 2022.

Full Year 2023 Financial Summary
The following is an overview of Air Canada’s results of operations 
and financial position for the full year 2023 compared to the full 
year 2022.

•  Operating revenues of $5,175 million increased $495 million or 
11% on an operated capacity growth of over 9% year over year, 
close to the guidance provided in Air Canada’s news release 
dated October 30, 2023. 

•  Operating revenues of $21,833 million increased $5,277 million 
or 32% on an approximately 20% growth in operated capacity. 
The capacity increase was in-line with the guidance provided in 
Air Canada’s news release dated October 30, 2023. 

•  Operating expenses of $5,096 million increased $388 million or 
8%. The increase was due to higher costs in nearly all line items 
reflecting higher operated capacity and traffic year-over-year, 
including higher wages, salaries and benefits. The increase was 
partially offset by lower aircraft fuel expense on a jet fuel price 
decline.

•  Operating income of $79 million, with an operating margin of 

•  Operating expenses of $19,554 million increased $2,811 million 
or 17%. The increase was primarily due to increases in all line 
items reflecting higher operated capacity and traffic year 
over year, including, higher salaries, wages and benefits. It 
also reflected the impact of a favourable maintenance cost 
adjustment of $159 million that was recorded in the first 
quarter of 2022.

1.5%, improved $107 million.

•  Operating income of $2,279 million, with an operating margin 

•  Adjusted EBITDA of $521 million, with an adjusted EBITDA 

margin of 10.1%, improved $132 million. 

•  Net income of $184 million and diluted earnings per share of 
$0.41 compared to a net income of $168 million and diluted 
earnings per share of $0.41. 

•  Adjusted net loss of $44 million and adjusted loss per diluted 

share of $0.12 compared to an adjusted net loss of $217 million 
and adjusted loss per diluted share of $0.61. 

•  Adjusted CASM of 14.25 cents compared to 13.68 cents, an 

increase of 4.1% driven by higher salaries, wages and benefits 
expenses, higher maintenance costs and general inflationary 
pressures on certain line items.

•  Net cash flows from operating activities of $985 million 

increased $338 million. 

•  Free cash flow of $669 million increased $349 million.

of 10.4%, improved $2,466 million. 

•  Adjusted EBITDA of $3,982 million, with an adjusted EBITDA 
margin of 18.2%, improved $2,525 million, at the high end 
of the guidance provided in Air Canada’s news release dated 
October 30, 2023.

•  Net income of $2,276 million and diluted earnings per share of 
$5.96 compared to a net loss of $1,700 million and diluted loss 
per share of $4.75. 

•  Adjusted net income of $1,713 million and adjusted earnings 

per diluted share of $4.56 compared to an adjusted net loss of 
$988 million and an adjusted loss per diluted share of $2.76.

•  Adjusted CASM of 13.49 cents compared to 13.21 cents in 
2022, a 2.2% increase driven by higher traffic and selling 
costs correlated to higher revenues, higher labour costs, a 
favourable maintenance cost adjustment recorded in 2022, and 
inflationary pressure on certain line items. This was within the 
guidance range provided in Air Canada’s news release dated 
October 30, 2023.

•  Net cash flows from operating activities of $4,320 million 

increased $1,952 million.

•  Free cash flow of $2,756 million increased $1,960 million.

•  Net debt-to-adjusted EBITDA ratio was 1.1 as at 

December 31, 2023 compared to 5.1 as at December 31, 2022. 
The improvement was due to the increase in adjusted EBITDA 
and the $2.9 billion reduction in net debt. 

|   41

ANNUAL REPORT 20235

Results of Operations – 2023 Versus 2022

The table and discussion below provide and compare Air Canada’s results for the periods indicated.

(Canadian dollars in millions, except where indicated)

2023

2022

$ Change % Change

Full Year

Operating revenues

Passenger
Cargo
Other
Total operating revenues

Operating expenses

Aircraft fuel
Wages, salaries and benefits
Depreciation, amortization, and impairment
Airport and navigation fees
Sales and distribution costs
Capacity purchase fees
Aircraft maintenance
Ground package costs
Communications and information technology
Catering and onboard services
Other
Total operating expenses
Operating income (loss)

Non-operating income (expense)

Foreign exchange gain (loss)
Interest income 
Interest expense
Interest capitalized
Gain on financial instruments recorded at fair value
Loss on debt settlements and modifications
Other
Total non-operating expense
Income (loss) before income taxes
Income tax recovery (expense)
Net income (loss)
Basic earnings (loss) per share
Diluted earnings (loss) per share
Adjusted EBITDA (1)
Adjusted pre-tax income (loss) (1)
Adjusted net income (loss) (1)
Adjusted earnings (loss) per share – diluted (1)

36
(27)
43
32

1
21
4
17
38
12
53
52
19
48
29
17

$ 19,403 $ 14,238 $
1,266  
1,052

5,165
(342)
454
  21,833   16,556   5,277

924  
1,506  

5,318  
3,955
1,703  
1,418  
1,097

858  
1,083  
720  
555
628  
2,219  

5,276  
3,260  
1,644  
1,213
797
763
706  
474  
468  
425
1,717

42
695
59
205
300
95
377
246
87
203
502
2,811
  2,466

  19,554   16,743  
  2,279  

(187)

4  

(732)

(944)

168  

389  
416  

(909)
13
133
(14)

14  
115
(10)
(47)
(67)

1,121
248
(35)
1
(18)
4
(51)
1,270
  3,736
240
$ 2,276 $ (1,700) $ 3,976
6.35 $ (4.75) $
$
11.10
$
5.96 $ (4.75) $ 10.71
$ 3,982 $ 1,457 $ 2,525
$ 1,693 $ (952) $ 2,645
$ 1,713 $ (988) $ 2,701
7.32
$

  (1,337)
  2,212   (1,524)
(176)
64  

4.56 $ (2.76) $

(1)  Adjusted EBITDA, adjusted pre-tax income (loss), adjusted net income (loss), and adjusted earnings (loss) per share are non-GAAP financial measures or non-GAAP financial ratios. Refer to section  20 “Non-GAAP 

Financial Measures” of this MD&A for additional information.

42   |

ANNUAL REPORT 2023 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
System Passenger Revenues
In 2023, passenger revenues of $19,403 million increased $5,165 million or over 36% from 2022 with about 14% higher PRASM. These 
results reflect strong demand for air transportation services in all markets and a better operating environment, in part due to the 
progressive easing of travel restrictions in Canada in 2022—the last of which were removed in October 2022. 

Some of the main drivers for the year-over-year variance included the following:

•  Favourable impact of progressive easing of COVID-19-related restrictions in 2022. About 70% of the year-over-year increase in 

passenger revenues was achieved in the first six months of 2023.

•  Strong demand for international travel. Passenger revenues from international markets grew 50% on 26% more capacity—

accounting for over 65% of the total year-over-year revenue increase.

•  Traffic growth outperformed added capacity resulting in system passenger load factor increasing six percentage points year over year. 

•  Higher average fares versus 2022. System yields increased 6%.

•  Solid demand for premium services. Premium revenues grew more than 37% year over year, representing almost 29% of the total 

increase in passenger revenues.

The table below provides passenger revenues by geographic region for the periods indicated.

(Canadian dollars in millions)

Canada

U.S. transborder

Atlantic

Pacific

Other

System

Full Year

2023

2022

$ Change % Change

$

5,106 $ 4,424 $

682

4,123

6,049

2,380

1,745

3,017

4,381

1,118

1,298

1,106

1,668

1,262

447

$ 19,403 $ 14,238 $ 5,165

15.4

36.7

38.1

112.8

34.5

36.3

The table below provides year-over-year percentage changes in passenger revenues and operating statistics for the periods indicated.

Canada

U.S. transborder

Atlantic

Pacific

Other

System

Full Year 2023 versus Full Year 2022

Passenger 
Revenue 
% Change

Capacity 
(ASMs) 
% Change

Traffic 
(RPMs) 
% Change

Passenger 
Load Factor 
pp Change

Yield 
% Change

PRASM 
% Change

15.4

36.7

38.1

112.8

34.5

36.3

5.2

20.0

15.6

81.8

16.5

19.9

11.6

30.0

22.9

101.8

26.4

29.0

4.9

6.4

5.3

9.0

6.6

6.1

3.4

5.2

12.3

5.4

6.4

6.0

9.7

13.9

19.4

17.0

15.5

13.6

Domestic Passenger Revenues

Domestic passenger revenues increased more than 15% year over year with traffic and capacity increases in almost the entire Domestic 
network. Yield increased over 3% from 2022 as a result of strong demand in a highly competitive marketplace.

|   43

ANNUAL REPORT 2023U.S. Transborder Passenger Revenues

U.S. transborder passenger revenues increased about 37% driven by continued strength in U.S. transborder services and in sixth 
freedom traffic resulting in higher PRASM and yield on a 20% increase in operated capacity. Capacity increased as a result of new, 
restored and increased U.S. transborder services and improved connection opportunities with Air Canada’s international network 
supporting the sixth freedom traffic strategy.  

Atlantic Passenger Revenues

Atlantic passenger revenues increased 38% driven by strong demand for transatlantic travel—to and from Canada as well as sixth 
freedom traffic—largely driven by a better operating environment and the removal of remaining travel restrictions in Canada in the 
second half of 2022. 

The strong demand, including for premium products, resulted in year-over-year double-digit PRASM and yield gains in nearly all major 
route groups, with notable strength on routes to continental Europe, despite increased capacity versus 2022.

Pacific Passenger Revenues

Pacific passenger revenues more than doubled year over year as a result of a better operating environment due to the restoration 
of services to Asia Pacific countries (except for China), especially Japan, following the easing of restrictions in Canada and in these 
countries. In addition, demand from sixth freedom traffic to the Pacific rebounded compared to 2022 as both our Pacific and 
transborder networks were restored.

Other Passenger Revenues

Other passenger revenues increased about 35% year over year on strong demand for services to the Caribbean and central and South 
America. This largely reflected the favourable impact of the progressive removal of travel restrictions in Canada in 2022. 

Cargo Revenues
In 2023, Cargo revenues declined $342 million or 27% from 2022. The decline was due to softness in volume and yield in all markets 
and to the return of temporarily converted passenger aircraft to passenger operations through the end of the second quarter of 2022. 
Increased freighter operations to central and South America and to Europe partially offset the year-over-year decline. At the end of 
2023, Air Canada operated seven Boeing 767 freighter aircraft compared to three 767 freighters operated in 2022. 

The table below provides cargo revenues by geographic region for the periods indicated.

(Canadian dollars in millions)

Canada

U.S. transborder

Atlantic

Pacific

Other

System

Full Year

2023

2022

$ Change % Change

$

$

94

45

432

222

131

114

51

556

409

136

$

(20)

(6)

(124)

(187)

(5)

$

924

$ 1,266

$ (342)

(17.7)

(10.6)

(22.2)

(45.8)

(4.0)

(27.0)

Other Revenues
In 2023, other revenues increased $454 million or 43% from 2022. The increase was largely due to higher ground package revenues at 
Air Canada Vacations on a combination of higher volume of passengers and higher prices for ground packages. Higher miscellaneous 
passenger services and onboard purchases on increased traffic and higher non-air revenues related to the Aeroplan program also 
contributed to the year-over-year growth.

44   |

ANNUAL REPORT 2023 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating Expenses
In 2023, operating expenses of $19,554 million increased $2,811 million or about 17% from 2022, on about 20% growth in operated 
capacity. The increase was primarily due to increases in all line items reflecting higher operated capacity and traffic year over year and, 
to a lesser extent, an unfavourable foreign exchange variance. It also included a $695 million increase in salaries, wages and benefits 
due to increased headcount and accruals for profit sharing and other wage related items, a favourable maintenance cost adjustment of 
$159 million that was recorded in the first quarter of 2022 and general inflationary pressures in various line items. 

The more notable components of the year-over-year change in operating expenses are described below.

Aircraft Fuel

In 2023, aircraft fuel expense increased 1% from 2022. The increase was driven by 21% more jet fuel litres used on 20% more 
ASMs. The increase was partially offset by a 14% decline in jet fuel prices—net of an unfavourable foreign exchange variance—and a 
$51 million net gain from the settlement of jet fuel hedges (in 2022, Air Canada did not have fuel hedging positions in place.) To a lesser 
extent, the expense related to the Aeroplan carbon offset program for flight rewards also contributed to the increase. This carbon offset 
program, which was launched in late 2022, compensates the estimated GHG emissions of Aeroplan flight redemptions for itineraries 
operated by Air Canada, Air Canada Rouge and Air Canada Express. 

Wages, Salaries and Benefits

In 2023, wages, salaries and benefits expense increased 21% from 2022. The increase reflects a 17% increase in FTEs required to 
support planned operations resulting from higher ASMs and accruals for profit sharing and other wage related items. To a lesser extent, 
higher average salaries contributed to the increase.

Sales and Distribution Costs

In 2023, sales and distribution costs increased 38% from 2022 driven by higher credit card, distribution and commissions, all of which 
were in line with the 36% growth in passenger revenues.

Capacity Purchase Fees

In 2023, capacity purchase fees increased 12% from 2022 mainly due to higher CPA rates resulting from higher costs incurred by Jazz to 
operate flights on behalf of Air Canada, including the impact of the new Air Line Pilot Association (ALPA) collective agreement with Jazz 
(which came into effect on September 1, 2023) increased maintenance costs and an unfavourable foreign exchange variance. This was 
partially offset by a lower volume of flying year over year as a result of pilot constraints at Jazz. The increase also reflects the agreement 
with PAL Airlines, which came into effect on July 1, 2023.

Aircraft Maintenance

In 2023, aircraft maintenance expense increased 53% largely due to increased maintenance activities associated with a higher volume 
of flying year over year and a favourable maintenance cost adjustment of $159 million that was recorded in the first quarter of 2022 as 
a result of an amended agreement with a third-party maintenance provider. To a lesser extent, an increase in maintenance provisions 
for leased aircraft that joined the fleet in 2023 contributed to the year-over-year increase.

Ground Package Costs

In 2023, ground package costs increased 52% from 2022 mainly due to higher volume of ground package revenues at Air Canada 
Vacations. In January 2022, in response to the emergence of the Omicron variant and the associated short-term decline in demand, 
Air Canada suspended its flights to certain Caribbean destinations from January 24 to April 30, 2022. 

Catering and Onboard Services

In 2023, catering and onboard services expenses increased 48% from 2022. The increase was driven by year-over-year growth in traffic, 
including the impact of changes in traffic mix, and operated capacity. To a lesser extent, general inflationary pressures also contributed 
to the increase. 

|   45

ANNUAL REPORT 2023Other operating expenses

In 2023, other operating expenses increased 29% driven by a higher volume of flying year over year and, to a lesser extent, inflationary 
pressures on certain line items.

The following table provides a breakdown of other expenses for the periods indicated.

(Canadian dollars in millions)

Terminal handling

Crew cycle

Building rent and maintenance

Miscellaneous fees and services

Remaining other expenses

Total other expenses

Full Year

2023

2022

$ Change % Change

$

$

501

266

294

218

940

367

207

229

213

701

$ 2,219

$ 1,717

$

$

134

59

65

5

239

502

37

29

28

2

34

29

CASM and Adjusted CASM 
In 2023, CASM of 19.75 cents declined 2.6% from 2022 driven by the year-over-year ASM increase and was favourably impacted by a 
13% decline in jet fuel prices. The unit cost contraction was limited by higher passenger service costs due to higher traffic and higher 
selling costs correlated to higher revenues, higher salaries, wages and benefits expenses, a favourable maintenance cost adjustment of 
$159 million recorded in the first quarter of 2022 and general inflationary pressures on certain line items.

Adjusted CASM of 13.49 cents increased 2.2% year over year. The increase was driven by higher passenger service costs due to higher 
traffic and higher selling costs correlated to higher revenues, higher salaries, wages and benefits expenses, a favourable maintenance 
cost adjustment of $159 million recorded in the first quarter of 2022 and general inflationary pressures on certain line items.

The following table reconciles CASM to adjusted CASM for the periods indicated.

(cents per ASM)

CASM

Remove:

Full Year

2023

2022

$ Change % Change

¢ 19.75

¢ 20.28

¢ (0.53)

(2.6)

Aircraft fuel expense, ground package costs, impairment of assets  
and freighter costs

Adjusted CASM

(6.26)

(7.07)

0.81

(11.5)

¢ 13.49

¢ 13.21

¢ 0.28

2.2

46   |

ANNUAL REPORT 2023 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Non-Operating Expense
In 2023, non-operating expenses totalled $67 million, compared to $1,337 million in 2022. 

Foreign exchange gains amounted to $389 million compared to losses of $732 million in 2022. The December 31, 2023, closing 
exchange rate was US$1=1.3243 compared to US$1=$1.3554 at December 31, 2022. With the strengthening of the Canadian dollar, 
the foreign exchange remeasurement on long-term debt and lease obligations resulted in a gain of $259 million and gains on foreign 
currency derivatives totalled $139 million in 2023. 

Interest expense of $944 million increased $35 million from 2022 driven by the unfavourable impact of higher interest rates year over 
year on floating-rate debt, and to a lesser extent, an unfavourable foreign exchange variance. The increase was limited as a result of 
debt repayments made during 2023. For additional information on debt repayments, refer to section 8.2 “Net Debt” of this MD&A.

Interest income of $416 million increased $248 million from 2022 due to higher interest earned on deposits resulting from higher 
interest rates year over year.

Gain on financial instruments recorded at fair value was $115 million which primarily resulted from fluctuations in the fair value of the 
embedded derivative on Air Canada’s Convertible Notes and of Air Canada’s short-term investments portfolio.

Income Tax
In 2023, Air Canada recorded an income tax recovery of $64 million compared to an income tax expense of $176 million in 2022 as 
shown below. Deferred income tax recovery in the statement of operations partially offset the deferred income tax expense recorded in 
other comprehensive income related to remeasurements on employee benefit liabilities.

(Canadian dollars in millions)

Current income tax recovery (expense)

Deferred income tax recovery (expense)

Income tax recovery (expense)

Full Year

2023

2022

$

$

17

47

64

$

(47)

(129)

$ (176)

|   47

ANNUAL REPORT 2023 
 
6

Results Of Operations – Q4 2023 Versus Q4 2022

The table and discussion below provide and compare Air Canada’s results for the periods indicated.

(Canadian dollars in millions, except where indicated)

2023

2022

$ Change % Change

Fourth Quarter

Operating revenues

Passenger
Cargo
Other
Total operating revenues

Operating expenses

Aircraft fuel
Wages, salaries and benefits
Depreciation, amortization, and impairment
Airport and navigation fees
Sales and distribution costs
Capacity purchase fees
Aircraft maintenance
Ground package costs
Communications and information technology
Catering and onboard services
Other
Total operating expenses
Operating income (loss)

Non-operating income (expense)

Foreign exchange gain
Interest income 
Interest expense
Interest capitalized
Gain on financial instruments recorded at fair value
Loss on debt settlements and modifications
Other
Total non-operating income
Income before income taxes
Income tax recovery 
Net income 
Basic earnings per share
Diluted earnings per share
Adjusted EBITDA (1)
Adjusted pre-tax loss (1)
Adjusted net loss (1)
Adjusted loss per share – diluted (1)

$ 4,553 $ 4,062 $
288  
330  
  4,680  

244  
378  

5,175

1,391
1,075
442
350  
253  
223  
311
177
140  
161
573  

1,459
892
417
320  
228  
214  
248  
163
127
127
513

  5,096   4,708  

79  

(28)

72
109  

316  
71
(245)
5
44  
(31)

(222)
5
91
(1)
(11)
43  
122  
62
184 $
0.51 $
0.41 $
521 $
(47) $
(44) $

14  
174  
146  
22
168 $
$
0.47 $
$
0.41 $
$
389 $
$
(211) $
$
$
(217) $
$ (0.12) $ (0.61) $

12
(15)
15
11

(5)
21
6
9
11
4
25
9
10
27
12
8

491
(44)
48
495

(68)
183
25
30
25
9
63
14
13
34
60
388
107

(244)
38
23
-
47
30
(25)
(131)
(24)
40
16
0.04
-
132
164
173
0.49

(1)  Adjusted EBITDA, adjusted pre-tax income (loss), adjusted net income (loss), and adjusted earnings (loss) per share are non-GAAP financial measures or non-GAAP financial ratios. Refer to section  20 “Non-GAAP 

Financial Measures” of this MD&A for additional information.

48   |

ANNUAL REPORT 2023 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
System Passenger Revenues
In the fourth quarter of 2023, passenger revenues of $4,553 million increased $491 million or 12% from the fourth quarter of 2022. The 
increase was driven by higher traffic, operated capacity and yield, most notably in the Pacific, Atlantic and U.S. transborder markets, on 
strong demand for international air transportation services. 

Strong demand for premium products, in all markets, resulted in about 12% higher premium revenues. This increase represented about 
28% of the year-over-year growth in passenger revenues.  

The table below provides passenger revenues by geographic region for the periods indicated.

(Canadian dollars in millions)

Canada

U.S. transborder

Atlantic

Pacific

Other

System

Fourth Quarter

2023

2022

$ Change % Change

$ 1,245

$

1,195

$

993

1,259

611

445

916

1,096

412

443

50

77

163

199

2

$ 4,553

$ 4,062

$

491

4.2

8.5

14.8

48.1

0.5

12.1

The table below provides year-over-year percentage changes in passenger revenues and operating statistics for the periods indicated.

Canada

U.S. transborder

Atlantic

Pacific

Other

System

Fourth Quarter 2023 versus Fourth Quarter 2022

Passenger 
Revenue 
% Change

Capacity 
(ASMs) 
% Change

Traffic 
(RPMs) 
% Change

Passenger 
Load Factor 
pp Change

Yield 
% Change

PRASM 
% Change

4.2

8.5

14.8

48.1

0.5

12.1

(2.9)

7.6

10.6

36.0

4.5

9.3

(0.1)

7.1

9.8

41.0

2.9

10.1

2.4

(0.4)

(0.6)

3.1

(1.3)

0.7

4.3

1.3

4.6

5.1

(2.3)

1.8

7.3

0.8

3.8

8.9

(3.8)

2.6

Domestic Passenger Revenues

Domestic passenger revenues increased over 4% from the fourth quarter of 2022 driven by higher traffic and capacity in Eastern 
Canada major route groups. Domestic yield increased more than 4% despite increased competition in the Canadian market. Operated 
capacity decreased by about 3% mainly due to pilot attrition at our principal regional partner and global supply chain challenges 
impacting certain aircraft maintenance activities.

U.S. Transborder Passenger Revenues

U.S. transborder passenger revenues increased over 8% from the fourth quarter of 2022 on higher capacity and traffic, notably in the 
U.S. short- and long-haul markets. Capacity increased as a result of new, restored and increased U.S. transborder services and improved 
connection opportunities with our international network supporting the sixth freedom traffic strategy.

|   49

ANNUAL REPORT 2023Atlantic Passenger Revenues

Atlantic passenger revenues increased about 15% from the fourth quarter of 2022 resulting from strong demand for transatlantic 
services, including for premium products, to and from Canada as well as sixth freedom traffic. This resulted in year-over-year yield and 
PRASM gains in all major route groups, despite the capacity growth. Capacity increased as a result of new and restored transatlantic 
routes as well as increased frequencies to certain European destinations, despite the impact of the Tel Aviv route suspension since 
October 8, 2023.

Pacific Passenger Revenues

Pacific passenger revenues increased about 48% from the fourth quarter of 2022 resulting from a better operating environment 
and the restoration of services to Asia Pacific countries (except for China), especially Japan, following the easing of restrictions in 
Canada and in these countries. Demand from sixth freedom traffic to the Pacific rebounded compared to 2022 as both our Pacific and 
transborder networks were restored.

Other Passenger Revenues

Other passenger revenues increased a half per cent from the fourth quarter of 2022 as the gains from higher traffic and capacity in the 
Caribbean and central America were partially offset by lower yields in almost all major route groups. 

The table below provides, by market, Air Canada’s revenue passenger miles (RPMs) and available seat miles (ASMs) for the periods 
indicated.

(millions)

2023

2022

2023

2022

Fourth Quarter

Full Year

Canada

U.S. transborder

Atlantic

Pacific

Other

System

RPMs

ASMs

RPMs

ASMs

RPMs

ASMs

RPMs

ASMs

4,229

3,744

6,709

3,333

2,390

5,034

4,689

7,989

3,761

2,966

4,233

3,495

6,111

2,364

2,322

5,184

4,356

7,226

2,765

2,837

18,224

21,426

16,336

20,373

15,313

18,342

11,781

30,823

34,894

25,072

12,370

9,072

13,610

10,740

6,128

7,178

15,290

30,188

7,484

9,223

20,405

24,439

18,525

22,368

85,802

99,012

66,495

82,558

Cargo Revenues
Cargo revenues in the fourth quarter of 2023 declined $44 million or 15% from the fourth quarter of 2022. The decline was primarily 
due to lower yields in all markets on softness in demand for air cargo services.

The table below provides cargo revenues by geographic region for the periods indicated.

(Canadian dollars in millions)

Canada

U.S. transborder

Atlantic

Pacific

Other

System

50   |

Fourth Quarter

2023

2022

$ Change % Change

$

$

25

12

104

65

38

$

30

13

145

66

34

(5)

(1)

(41)

(1)

4

(16.0)

(6.5)

(27.4)

(2.7)

9.9

$

244

$

288

$

(44)

(15.2)

ANNUAL REPORT 2023 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other Revenues
Other revenues in the fourth quarter of 2023 grew $48 million or 15% from the fourth quarter of 2022. The increase was due to higher 
ground package revenues at Air Canada Vacations, higher miscellaneous passenger services and onboard purchases on increased traffic 
and non-air revenues related to the Aeroplan program.

Operating Expenses
In the fourth quarter of 2023, total operating expenses increased 8% from the fourth quarter of 2022, on 9% more capacity, due to 
increases in nearly all line items reflecting higher operated capacity and traffic year-over-year, including higher wages, salaries and 
benefits expense. Lower aircraft fuel expense year over year, driven by lower jet fuel prices, partially offset the increase. 

The more notable components of the year-over-year change in operating expenses are described below.

Aircraft Fuel

In the fourth quarter of 2023, aircraft fuel expense declined 5% from the fourth quarter of 2022. The decline was driven by a 
12% decrease jet fuel prices, despite the impact of a $17 million net hedging loss on jet fuel hedges in the quarter and a $6 million 
unfavourable foreign exchange variance. The reduction was partially offset by growth in volume of jet fuel litres used on increased 
flying.

Wages, Salaries and Benefits

In the fourth quarter of 2023, wages, salaries and benefits increased 21% from the fourth quarter of 2022. The increase was due to 
accruals for profit sharing and other wage related items and a 10% increase in FTEs related to higher flying activity year over year.

Capacity purchase fees

In the fourth quarter of 2023, capacity purchase fees increased 4% from the fourth quarter of 2022 resulting from the agreement with 
PAL Airlines, which came into effect on July 1, 2023, and higher CPA rates due to higher costs incurred by Jazz to operate flights on 
behalf of Air Canada, including impact of the new collective agreement between Jazz and ALPA, increased maintenance costs and an 
unfavourable foreign exchange variance. This was partially offset by lower volume of regional flying as a result of pilot constraints at 
Jazz.

Aircraft Maintenance

In the fourth quarter of 2023, aircraft maintenance expense increased 25% from the fourth quarter of 2022. This was mainly due to 
increased maintenance activities, in part associated with a higher volume of flying year over year and to timing of certain maintenance 
activities. To a lesser extent, inflation-related increases in rates for maintenance activities and an increase in maintenance provisions 
related to leased aircraft that joined the operating fleet in 2023 also contributed to the increase.

Catering and Onboard Services

In the fourth quarter of 2023, catering and onboard services expenses increased 27% from the fourth quarter of 2022. The increase 
was driven by year-over-year growth in traffic, including the impact of changes in traffic mix, and operated capacity. To a lesser extent, 
general inflationary pressures also contributed to the increase. 

Other operating expenses

In the fourth quarter of 2023, other operating expenses increased 12% from the same period in 2022 driven by a higher volume of 
flying, general inflationary pressures on certain line items and an unfavourable foreign exchange variance year over year.

|   51

ANNUAL REPORT 2023The following table provides a breakdown of other expenses for the periods indicated.

(Canadian dollars in millions)

Terminal handling

Crew cycle

Building rent and maintenance

Miscellaneous fees and services

Remaining other expenses

Total other expenses

Fourth Quarter

2023

2022

$  Change %  Change

$

131

$

106

$

68

80

54

240

573

$

59

67

67

214

513

$

$

25

9

13

(13)

26

60

24

15

19

(19)

12

12

CASM and Adjusted CASM 
In the fourth quarter of 2023, CASM declined 0.9% driven by lower aircraft fuel expenses paired with higher operated capacity year 
over year. The decline was partially offset by higher salaries, wages and benefits expenses, higher maintenance expenses, higher 
catering costs as well as general inflationary pressures on various line items. 

Adjusted CASM of 14.25 cents increased 4.1% year over year. The increase was driven by higher salaries, wages and benefits expenses, 
higher maintenance costs and general inflationary pressures on certain line items, including in catering costs.

The following table reconciles CASM to adjusted CASM for the periods indicated.

(cents per ASM)

CASM

Remove:

Fourth Quarter

2023

2022

$ Change % Change

¢ 20.85

¢ 21.05

¢ (0.20)

(0.9)

Aircraft fuel expense, ground package costs, impairment of assets  
and freighter costs

Adjusted CASM

  (6.60)

(7.37)

0.77

(10.4)

¢ 14.25

¢ 13.68

¢ 0.57

4.1

Non-Operating Income (Expense)
In the fourth quarter of 2023, total non-operating income amounted to $43 million compared to $174 million in the fourth quarter 
of 2022. 

Foreign exchange gains totalled $72 million compared to gains of $316 million in the fourth quarter of 2022. The December 31, 2023, 
closing exchange rate was US$1=1.3243 compared to US$1=$1.3577 at September 30, 2023. With the strengthening of the Canadian 
dollar, the foreign exchange remeasurement on long-term debt and lease obligations resulted in gains of $255 million and were partially 
offset by losses on foreign currency derivatives of $178 million. 

Interest expense of $222 million declined $23 million from the fourth quarter of 2022. The decline was reflected the favourable impact 
of the debt repayments made in 2023 and was partially offset by higher interest expense on floating-rate debt due to higher interest 
rates year over year.

52   |

ANNUAL REPORT 2023 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
7

Fleet

The tables below provide information relating to the aircraft in the operating fleets of Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge as well as the 
aircraft operated on behalf of Air Canada by regional carriers under the Air Canada Express brand.

Mainline and Air Canada Rouge
The tables below provide information relating to the aircraft in Air Canada’s and Air Canada Rouge’s operating fleets as at  
December 31, 2023.

At December 31, 2023

Number  
of Operating  
Aircraft

Total Seats

Average Age

Owned

Leased

Air Canada (Mainline)

Wide-body aircraft

Boeing 777-300ER
Boeing 777-200LR
Boeing 787-8
Boeing 787-9 
Boeing 767-300 freighters
Airbus A330-300
Total wide-body aircraft

Narrow-body aircraft

Boeing 737 MAX 8
Airbus A321
Airbus A320
Airbus A319
Airbus A220-300
Total narrow-body aircraft
Total Mainline

Air Canada Rouge

Narrow-body aircraft

Airbus A321
Airbus A320
Airbus A319
Total Air Canada Rouge

Total Mainline & Rouge

19
6
8
30
7
18
88

40
16
19
7
33
115
203

17
5
18
40

243

418
300
255
298
-
295
321

169
190
128
125
137
153
223

195
168
136
165

213

13.8
16.4
9.6
7.0
23.0
17.9
12.8

4.3
20.3
26.8
26.8
2.8
11.2
11.9

9.1
16.7
25.5
17.4

12.8

11
4
8
24
5
8
60

31
8
10
7
33
89
149

4
-
15
19

168

8
2
-
6
2
10
28

9
8
9
-
-
26
54

13
5
3
21

75

|   53

ANNUAL REPORT 2023 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The tables below provide the number of aircraft in Air Canada’s operating fleet as at December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2023 as well 
as Air Canada’s planned operating fleet as at the future dates indicated. 

Actual

Planned

Dec. 31,  
2022

2023 Fleet 
Changes

Dec. 31,  
2023

2024 Fleet 
Changes

Dec. 31,  
2024

2025 Fleet 
Changes

Dec. 31,  
2025

18
6
8
29
-
5
16
82

40
-
15
18
5
32
110
192

14
5
20
39

231

1
-
-
1
-
2
2
6

-
-
1
1
2
1
5
11

3
-
(2)
1

12

19
6
8
30
-
7
18
88

40
-
16
19
7
33
115
203

17
5
18
40

243

-
-
-
2
-
2
1
5

-
-
-
2
(2)
2
2
7

-
-
-
-

7

19
6
8
32
-
9
19
93

40
-
16
21
5
35
117
210

17
5
18
40

-
-
-
-
1
1
-
2

5
4
-
-
-
7
16
18

-
-
-
-

19
6
8
32
1
10
19
95

45
4
16
21
5
42
133
228

17
5
18
40

250

18

268

Air Canada (Mainline)

Wide-body aircraft

Boeing 777-300ER
Boeing 777-200LR
Boeing 787-8
Boeing 787-9 
Boeing 787-10
Boeing 767-300 freighters
Airbus A330-300
Total wide-body aircraft

Narrow-body aircraft

Boeing 737 MAX 8
Airbus A321XLR
Airbus A321
Airbus A320
Airbus A319
Airbus A220-300
Total narrow-body aircraft
Total Mainline

Air Canada Rouge

Narrow-body aircraft

Airbus A321
Airbus A320
Airbus A319
Total Air Canada Rouge

Total Mainline & Rouge

54   |

ANNUAL REPORT 2023 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Air Canada Express
The table below provides the number of aircraft operated on behalf of Air Canada by regional carriers under the Air Canada Express 
brand, for the dates indicated. The table also provides the planned Air Canada Express fleet as at the future dates indicated. 

Embraer 175
Mitsubishi CRJ-200
Mitsubishi CRJ-900
De Havilland Dash 8-400
Total Air Canada Express

Actual

Planned

Dec. 31,  
2022

2023 Fleet 
Changes

Dec. 31, 
2023

2024 Fleet 
Changes

Dec. 31,  
2024

2025 Fleet 
Changes

Dec. 31,  
2025

25
15
35
39
114

-
-
-
4
4

25
15
35
43
118

-
(8)
-
-
(8)

25
7
35
43
110

-
-
-
-
-

25
7
35
43
110

|   55

ANNUAL REPORT 20238

Financial and Capital Management

8.1 Liquidity

Liquidity Risk Management 

Air Canada manages its liquidity needs through a variety of strategies, including by seeking to sustain and improve cash from operations 
and free cash flow, sourcing committed financing for new and existing aircraft, and through other financing activities.

Liquidity needs are primarily related to meeting obligations associated with financial liabilities, capital commitments, ongoing 
operations, contractual and other obligations, which are further discussed in sections 8.5 “Capital Expenditures and Related Financing 
Arrangements”, 8.6 “Pension Funding Obligations”, and 8.7 “Contractual Obligations” of this MD&A. Air Canada monitors and manages 
liquidity risk by preparing rolling cash flow forecasts for a minimum period of at least twelve months after each reporting period, 
including under various scenarios and assumptions, monitoring the condition and value of assets available to be used as well as those 
assets being used as security in financing arrangements, seeking flexibility in financing arrangements, and establishing programs to 
monitor and maintain compliance with terms of financing agreements.

At December 31, 2023 total liquidity was $10,290 million comprised of cash and cash equivalents, short-term and long-term 
investments of $9,295 million, and $995 million available under undrawn credit facilities. Cash and cash equivalents include 
$393 million related to funds held in trust by Air Canada Vacations in accordance with regulatory requirements governing advance 
sales for tour operators. Over the next 12 months, Air Canada expects to meet its liquidity needs with cash from operations as well as 
with available cash and cash equivalents, short-term and long-term investments. Liquidity needs, including those related to obligations 
associated with financial liabilities and capital commitments, may also be supported through new financing arrangements.

8.2 Net debt
The table below reflects Air Canada’s net debt balances as at December 31, 2023, and as at December 31, 2022.

(Canadian dollars in millions)

Total long-term debt and lease liabilities

Current portion of long-term debt and lease liabilities

Total long-term debt and lease liabilities (including current portion)

Less cash, cash equivalents and short and long-term investments

Net debt (1)

Adjusted EBITDA (trailing 12 months)

Net debt to adjusted EBITDA ratio (1)

December 31, 
2023

December 31,  
2022

$ Change

$

12,996

$

15,043

$

(2,047)

866

13,862

(9,295)

4,567

3,982

1.1

$

$

1,263

16,306

(8,811)

7,495

1,457

5.1

$

$

(397)

(2,444)

(484)

$ (2,928)

$

2,525

(4.0)

(1)  Net debt is a capital management measure and a key component of the capital managed by Air Canada and provides management with a measure of its net indebtedness. Net debt to adjusted EBITDA ratio (also referred 

to as “leverage ratio” in this MD&A) is a non-GAAP financial ratio and is used by Air Canada to measure financial leverage. For additional information on net debt, refer to section 20 “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” of this 
MD&A.

Net debt to adjusted EBITDA ratio was 1.1 at December 31, 2023, an improvement from the ratio of 5.1 as at December 31, 2022, due to 
growth in adjusted EBITDA and the reduction in net debt. The decrease in total debt and lease liabilities included $1,276 million of early 
debt repayments made in 2023—comprised of the $1,112 million from the prepayment of Airbus A220 debt previously used to fund the 
acquisition of 33 Airbus A220 aircraft and the prepayment of $164 million previously used to fund the acquisition of five Boeing 787-8 
aircraft. Greater cash and investments, accumulated through operating cashflows, also contributed to the improvement in net debt.

56   |

ANNUAL REPORT 2023 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
8.3 Working capital
The table below provides information on Air Canada’s working capital balances as at December 31, 2023 and as at December 31, 2022.

(Canadian dollars in millions)

December 31, 
2023

December 31,  
2022

$ Change

Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments

$

8,551

$

Accounts receivable

Other current assets

Total current assets

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

Advance ticket sales

Aeroplan and other deferred revenues

Current portion of long-term debt and lease liabilities

Total current liabilities

Net working capital

1,121

588

$

7,988

1,037

640

$ 10,260

$

9,665

$

3,328

4,341

1,473

866

$ 10,008

$

252

$

$

2,691

4,104

1,295

1,263

9,353

312

$

$

563

84

(52)

595

637

237

178

(397)

655

(60)

Net working capital of $252 million at December 31, 2023 decreased $60 million from December 31, 2022. This was driven by a 
significant cash outflow due to repayment of long-term debt and lease liabilities and investing activities offset by positive operating 
cash results.

8.4 Cash flow movements
The table below provides the cash flow movements for Air Canada for the periods indicated.

Fourth Quarter

Full Year

(Canadian dollars in millions)

2023

2022

$ Change

2023

2022

$ Change

Net cash flows from operating activities

$ 985

$ 647

$ 338

$ 4,320 $ 2,368 $ 1,952

Net cash flows used in financing activities

Net cash flows from (used in) investing activities

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

(332)

(289)

(7)

Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

$ 357

$

(739)

407

(2,368)

(1,612)

(756)

137

2

47

(426)

(1,827)

(2,498)

(9)

(1)

20

671

(21)

$ 310

$

124 $ (1,722) $ 1,846

Net Cash Flows from Operating Activities

Net cash flows from operating activities were better than the 2022 comparative periods driven by better results from operations and 
strong advance ticket sales. 

Net Cash Flows used in Financing Activities

Net cash flows used in financing activities increased $756 million from 2022. The increase was mainly driven by the prepayment of 
loans which had been used to finance the acquisition of Boeing 787 and Airbus A220 aircraft.  

Net Cash Flows from (used in) Investing Activities

Net cash flows used in investing activities decreased by $671 million in 2023 largely due to the net movements between cash and 
short- and long-term investments. Additions to property, equipment and intangible assets of $1,564 million in 2023, slightly lower than 
2022 levels.

Refer to sections 8.2 “Net Debt”, and 8.3 “Working Capital” of this MD&A for additional information.

|   57

ANNUAL REPORT 2023 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Free Cash Flow

The table below provides the calculation of free cash flow for Air Canada for the periods indicated.

Fourth Quarter

Full Year

(Canadian dollars in millions)

2023

2022

$ Change

2023

2022

$ Change

Net cash flows from operating activities

$ 985

$ 647

$ 338

$ 4,320 $ 2,368 $ 1,952

Additions to property, equipment, and intangible assets

(316)

(327)

11

  (1,564)

  (1,572)

8

Free cash flow (1)

$ 669

$ 320

$ 349

$ 2,756

$

796

$ 1,960

(1)  Free cash flow is a non-GAAP financial measure used by Air Canada as an indicator of the financial strength and performance of its business, indicating how much cash it can generate from operations after capital 

expenditures. Free cash flow is calculated as net cash flows from operating activities minus additions to property, equipment and intangible assets and net of proceeds from sale and leaseback transactions. Such measure 
is not a recognized measure for financial statement presentation under GAAP, does not have a standardized meaning, may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other entities and should not be considered a 
substitute for or superior to GAAP results. Refer to section 20 “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” of this MD&A for additional information.

Free cash flow in the fourth quarter and full year 2023 were better than the 2022 comparative periods driven by better net cash flows 
from operating activities on better operating results and strong advance ticket sales. 

8.5 Capital expenditures and related financing arrangements

Boeing 787-10 Aircraft

In September 2023, Air Canada announced that it is acquiring 18 Boeing 787-10 aircraft. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in the fourth 
quarter of 2025 with the last aircraft scheduled for delivery in the first quarter of 2027. The purchase agreement, which includes 
options for 12 additional Boeing 787-10 aircraft, substitutes for a previously announced agreement to purchase two Boeing 777 freighter 
aircraft and, as a result, Air Canada will no longer take delivery of the two freighters.

Airbus A321XLR Aircraft

Air Canada is acquiring 30 extra-long range (XLR) versions of the Airbus A321neo aircraft (Airbus A321XLR). Deliveries are scheduled 
to begin in the third quarter of 2025 with the final aircraft scheduled to arrive in 2029. Of the 30 total aircraft, 15 aircraft will be leased 
and 15 are being acquired under a purchase agreement with Airbus S.A.S. that includes purchase rights to acquire up to 10 additional 
aircraft between 2027 and 2031. 

Airbus A220-300 Aircraft

Air Canada has an agreement with Airbus Canada for the purchase of Airbus A220-300 aircraft, which provides for:

•  Firm orders for 60 Airbus A220-300 aircraft.

•  Purchase options for 15 additional Airbus A220-300 aircraft. 

Of the above-mentioned 60 firm orders, 33 have been delivered. Deliveries for the 27 remaining firm orders are planned between 2024 
and 2027.

Boeing 737 MAX

Air Canada’s agreement with Boeing for the purchase of Boeing 737 MAX aircraft provides for firm orders for 40 Boeing 737 MAX 8 
aircraft (which have all been delivered) and purchase options for 10 additional Boeing 737 MAX aircraft. 

In 2023, Air Canada has entered into lease agreements for five additional Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft that are scheduled to enter the 
operating fleet in 2025.

Boeing 787-9 Aircraft

In 2021, Air Canada exercised options for the purchase of three Boeing 787-9 aircraft. Two 787-9 aircraft were delivered, one in April 
2023 and one in January 2024, and the remaining aircraft is scheduled to be delivered in 2024.

58   |

ANNUAL REPORT 2023 
 
 
 
Boeing 767 Freighter Aircraft

Air Canada expects to add another three Boeing 767 freighters between 2024 and 2025. 

Heart Aerospace ES-30 Electric Aircraft

In 2022, Air Canada finalized a purchase agreement for 30 ES-30 electric-hybrid aircraft under development by Heart Aerospace. Due 
to the developing design and specifications of the aircraft, the final cost is not yet determinable and is not included in the table below, 
however the agreement provides for a price cap. The regional aircraft are expected to enter service in 2028. 

Capital Commitments 

As outlined in the table below, the estimated aggregate cost of all aircraft expected to be delivered and other capital purchase 
commitments at December 31, 2023 amounted to $12,461 million. 

(Canadian dollars in millions)

2024

2025

2026

2027

2028

Thereafter

Total

Committed expenditures

$ 2,000

$ 2,204

$ 4,003

 $ 1,397

 $ 790 $

2,067 $

12,461

Projected planned but uncommitted expenditures

108

332

498

472

505

Projected planned but uncommitted capitalized 
maintenance (1)

517

705

621

455

455

Total projected  expenditures (2)

$ 2,625

$ 3,241

$ 5,122

$ 2,324

$ 1,750

Not 
available

Not 
available

Not 
available

Not 
available

Not 
available

Not 
available

(1)  Future capitalized maintenance amounts for 2027 and beyond are not yet determinable, however estimates of $455 million have been made for each of 2027 and 2028. 
(2)  U.S. dollar amounts are converted using the December 31, 2023 closing exchange rate of US$1=C$1.3243. The estimated aggregate cost of aircraft is based on delivery prices that include estimated escalation.

8.6 Pension funding obligations
Air Canada maintains several defined benefit pension plans, including domestic registered pension plans and supplemental pension 
plans. Air Canada also sponsors several defined contribution pension plans and pension plans for foreign employees and contributes to 
some multi-employer pension plans. In addition, Air Canada has plans providing other retirement and post-employment benefits to its 
employees. 

On a preliminary basis, at January 1, 2024, the aggregate solvency surplus in Air Canada’s domestic registered pension plans was 
estimated at $4.3 billion. The final valuations will be completed in the first half of 2024. As permitted by legislation and subject to 
applicable plan rules, amounts in excess of 105% on a solvency basis can be used to reduce current service contributions under the 
defined benefit component or to fund the employer contribution to a defined contribution component within the same pension plan. 

Total employer defined benefit pension funding contributions (including international and supplemental plans) amounted to 
$86 million in 2023 and are forecasted to be $101 million in 2024. 

Net of the surplus in the defined benefit components which was used to fund the employer contribution to a defined contribution 
component within the same pension plan, total employer contributions for the defined contribution plans and multi-employer plans 
amounted to $60 million in 2023 and are forecasted to be $72 million in 2024. 

At December 31, 2023, approximately 85% of Air Canada’s pension assets in the domestic defined benefit plans were invested in 
fixed income instruments to mitigate a significant portion of the interest rate (discount rate) risk. Air Canada seeks to maintain a high 
percentage of long-term fixed income products to hedge pension liabilities.

Pension plan assets

Included in plan assets, for determining the net benefit obligation for accounting purposes, are 17,646,765 (2022 – 17,646,765) shares 
of Air Canada which were issued to a trust in 2009 in connection with pension funding agreements reached with all of Air Canada’s 
Canadian-based unions. The trust arrangement provides that proceeds of the sale of the trust shares will be retained and applied to 
reduce future pension solvency deficits, if any should materialize. In addition, for so long as the trust continues to hold at least 2% 
of Air Canada’s issued and outstanding shares, the trustee will have the right to designate one nominee to the Board of Directors of 
Air Canada (who shall not be a member or officer of any of Air Canada’s Canadian-based unions), subject to completion by Air Canada 
of its usual governance process for selection and confirmation of director nominees. 

|   59

ANNUAL REPORT 2023 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
With Air Canada’s domestic registered plans in a surplus position on a solvency basis, the accounting rules prevent the recognition 
of the value of the shares held in trust as part of the pension assets. The shares held in trust had a fair value of $330 million at 
December 31, 2023 (2022 – $342 million), however after giving effect to the asset ceiling, the recognized accounting value of the trust 
asset is nil. 

In November 2021, Air Canada announced that its Canadian unions and the Air Canada Pionairs agreed in principle to permit certain 
other uses of the proceeds of the shares discussed above. If all conditions are met, shares in the trust will be gradually sold over a 
period of up to 15 years with the net proceeds from the sales used to make lump sum payments to Canadian pensioners and to fund 
voluntary separation packages for senior unionized employees and non-executive employees. Pursuant to the agreement in principle, 
the above-described right to designate one nominee for election to the Board of Directors of Air Canada would continue until the earlier 
of (i) January 1, 2030, or (ii) the date that Air Canada shares in trust represent 2% or less of Air Canada’s issued and outstanding shares. 
There are several conditions to the completion of the agreement in principle and effecting such sales and payments. These include the 
conclusion of definitive documentation, and the receipt of all required regulatory and other approvals which remain outstanding. While 
the satisfaction of the conditions is being pursued, there can be no assurance that these or any other conditions will be satisfied.

8.7 Contractual obligations
The table below provides Air Canada’s projected contractual obligations as at December 31, 2023, including those relating to interest 
and principal repayment obligations on Air Canada’s long-term debt and lease liabilities and committed capital expenditures.

(Canadian dollars in millions)

2024

2025

2026

2027

2028

Thereafter

Total

Principal

Long-term debt (1)

Lease liabilities

$

359

507

$ 1,092

$ 2,337

$ 1,032

$ 4,222

$ 2,631

$ 11,673

485

337

279

210

719

2,537

Total principal obligations

$ 866

$ 1,577

$ 2,674

$ 1,311

$ 4,432

$ 3,350

$ 14,210

Interest

Long-term debt

Lease liabilities

630

130

604

102

546

80

451

64

323

50

Total interest obligations

$ 760

$ 706

$ 626

$

515

$ 373

$

119

282

401

2,673

708

$ 3,381

Total long-term debt and lease liabilities

$ 1,626

$ 2,283

$3,300

$ 1,826

$ 4,805

$ 3,751

$ 17,591

Committed capital expenditures

$2,000

$ 2,204

$4,003

$ 1,397

$ 790

$ 2,067

$ 12,461

Total contractual obligations (2)

$ 3,626

$ 4,487

$ 7,303

$ 3,223

$ 5,595

$ 5,818

$ 30,052

(1)  Assumes the principal balance of the convertible notes, $363 million (US$274 million), remains unconverted and includes estimated interest payable until maturity in 2025. The full principal balance of $1,273 million for 

the unsecured credit facility in connection with the Government of Canada financing to support customer refunds is included.

(2)  Total contractual obligations exclude commitments for goods and services required in the ordinary course of business. Also excluded are long-term liabilities other than long-term debt and lease liabilities due to reasons 

of uncertainty of timing of cash flows and items that are non-cash in nature.

60   |

ANNUAL REPORT 2023 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
8.8 Share information
The issued and outstanding shares of Air Canada, along with shares potentially issuable, as of the dates indicated below, are as follows:

Issued and outstanding shares

Class A variable voting shares

Class B voting shares

Total issued and outstanding shares

Class A variable voting and Class B voting shares potentially issuable

Convertible notes

Stock options

Total shares potentially issuable

December 31, 2023

December 31, 2022

82,887,375

275,581,911

72,431,001

285,931,257

358,469,286

358,362,258

17,856,599

6,642,516

24,499,115

17,856,599

5,304,745

23,161,344

Total outstanding and potentially issuable shares

382,968,401

381,523,602

Convertible Notes

In June 2020, Air Canada closed US$748 million ($1,011 million) of convertible unsecured notes (Convertible Notes), for net proceeds of 
$986 million. The Convertible Notes bear interest semi-annually in arrears at a rate of 4.0% per annum and will mature on July 1, 2025, 
unless earlier repurchased, redeemed or converted.  The initial conversion rate of the Convertible Notes is 65.1337 shares per US$1,000 
principal amount of Convertible Notes, or an initial conversion price of approximately US$15.35 per share. The Convertible Notes 
are convertible at the Corporation’s election, into cash, or into Class A Variable Voting shares and/or Class B Voting shares of the 
Corporation, or a combination of cash and shares.  The Convertible Notes are convertible prior to the close of business on the business 
day immediately preceding March 1, 2025 only under the circumstances and subject to satisfaction of the conversion conditions set 
out in the indenture for the Convertible Notes, and at any time on or after March 1, 2025 until the close of business on the second 
scheduled trading day immediately preceding July 1, 2025, the maturity date of the Notes, regardless of the foregoing conditions, in 
each case at the option of the noteholders.

In 2022, Air Canada repurchased and cancelled $635 million (US$473 million) aggregate principal amount of its outstanding 
Convertible Notes. At December 31, 2023, a total of $363 million (US$274 million) aggregate principal amount of Convertible Notes 
remains outstanding. At December 31, 2022, the aggregate principal amount of Convertible Notes outstanding was US$274 million.

|   61

ANNUAL REPORT 2023 
 
 
9

Quarterly Financial Data

The table below summarizes quarterly financial results for Air Canada for the last eight quarters.

(Canadian dollars in millions,  
except per share figures)

Operating revenues

Operating expenses

Q1

Q2

Q3

Q4

Q1

Q2

Q3

Q4

$ 2,573

$ 3,981

$ 5,322

$ 4,680

$ 4,887

$ 5,427

$ 6,344

$ 5,175

  3,123

  4,234

  4,678

  4,708

  4,904

  4,625

  4,929

  5,096

2022

2023

Operating income (loss)

  (550)

  (253)

644

Non-operating income (expense)

  (264)

(99)

  (1,148)

Income (loss) before income taxes

  (814)

  (352)

(504)

Income tax recovery (expense)

(160)

(34)

(4)

(28)

174

146

22

Net income (loss)

$ (974)

$ (386)

$ (508)

$ 168

$

(6)

(23)

27

4

(17)

  802

  1,415

(6)

(98)

796

  1,317

42

(67)

$ 838

$ 1,250

$ 184

79

43

122

62

Basic earnings (loss) per share

$ (2.72)

$ (1.08)

$ (1.42)

$ 0.47

$ 0.01

$ 2.34

$ 3.49

$ 0.51

Diluted earnings (loss) per share

$ (2.72)

$ (1.60)

$ (1.42)

$ 0.41

$(0.03)

$ 2.34

$ 3.08

$ 0.41

Adjusted EBITDA (1)

$ (143)

$ 154

$ 1,057

$ 389

$

411

$ 1,220

$ 1,830

$

521

Adjusted pre-tax income (loss) (1)

Adjusted net income (loss) (1)
Adjusted earnings (loss) per share – 
diluted (1)

$ (740)

$ (447)

$ (747)

$ (455)

$(2.09)

$ (1.12)

$

$

$

446

$ (211)

$ (194)

$ 656

$ 1,278

$ (47)

431

$ (217)

$ (188)

$ 664

$ 1,281

$ (44)

1.07

$ (0.61)

$(0.53)

$ 1.85

$ 3.41

$ (0.12)

(1)  Adjusted EBITDA, adjusted pre-tax income (loss) and adjusted net income (loss) are non-GAAP financial measures. Adjusted earnings (loss) per share is a non-GAAP financial ratio. For additional information, refer to 

section 20 “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” of this MD&A.

62   |

ANNUAL REPORT 2023 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
10

Selected Annual Information

(Canadian dollars in millions, except per share figures)

Operating revenues

Operating expenses

Operating income (loss)

Income (loss) before income taxes

Income tax recovery (expense)

Net income (loss)

Basic earnings (loss) per share 

Diluted earnings (loss) per share 

Adjusted EBITDA (1)

Adjusted pre-tax income (loss) (1)

Adjusted net income (loss) (1)

Adjusted earnings (loss) per share – diluted (1)

Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments

Total assets

Total long-term liabilities

Total liabilities

Full Year

2023

2022

2021

$ 21,833 $ 16,556 $ 6,400

  19,554  

16,743  

9,449

2,279  

(187)

  (3,049)

2,212

(1,524)

(3,981)

64  

(176)

379

$ 2,276 $ (1,700) $ (3,602)

$

$

6.35 $ (4.75) $ (10.25)

5.96 $ (4.75) $ (10.25)

$ 3,982 $ 1,457 $ (1,464)

$ 1,693 $

(952) $ (3,768)

$

$

1,713 $ (988) $ (3,768)

4.56 $ (2.76) $ (10.74)

$ 8,551 $ 7,988 $ 8,969

$ 30,197 $ 29,507 $ 30,614

$ 19,393 $ 21,709 $ 23,681

$ 29,401 $ 31,062 $ 30,605

(1)  Adjusted EBITDA, adjusted pre-tax income (loss) and adjusted net income (loss) are non-GAAP financial measures. Adjusted earnings (loss) per share is a non-GAAP financial ratio. For additional information, refer to 

section 20 “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” of this MD&A.

|   63

ANNUAL REPORT 2023 
 
 
 
 
 
11

Financial Instruments and Risk Management

Gain on Financial Instruments Recorded at Fair Value
The following is a summary of gains (losses) on financial instruments recorded at fair value included in non-operating income (expense) 
on Air Canada’s consolidated statement of operations for the periods indicated.

(Canadian dollars in millions)

Embedded derivative on convertible notes

Short-term investments

Other 

Gain on financial instruments recorded at fair value

Fourth Quarter

Full Year

2023

2022

2023

2022

$

$

32

53

6

91

$

$

45

(2)

1

44

$

$

$

64

45

6

219

(86)

-

115

$

133

Risk Management
Under its risk management policy, Air Canada manages its market risk through the use of various financial derivative instruments. 
Air Canada uses these instruments solely for risk management purposes, not for generating trading profit. As such, any change in cash 
flows associated with derivative instruments is designed to be an economic hedge and offset by changes in cash flows of the relevant 
risk being hedged.

The fair values of derivative instruments represent the amount of the consideration that could be exchanged in an arm’s length 
transaction between willing parties who are under no compulsion to act. The fair value of these derivatives is determined using prices 
in active markets, where available. When no such market is available, valuation techniques such as discounted cash flow analysis are 
applied. The valuation technique incorporates all factors that would be considered in setting a price, including Air Canada’s own credit 
risk as well as the credit risk of the counterparty.

Fuel Price Risk Management
Fuel price risk is the risk that future cash flows will fluctuate because of changes in jet fuel prices. To manage its exposure to jet 
fuel prices and to help mitigate volatility in operating cash flows, the Corporation can elect to enter into derivative contracts with 
financial intermediaries. The Corporation may use derivative contracts based on jet fuel, heating oil and crude-oil based contracts. 
The Corporation’s policy permits hedging of up to 75% of the projected jet fuel purchases for the current calendar year, 50% of the 
projected jet fuel purchases for the next calendar year, and 25% of projected jet fuel purchases for any calendar year thereafter. These 
are maximum (but not mandated) limits. There is no minimum monthly hedging requirement. There are regular reviews to adjust the 
strategy in light of market conditions.

During 2023, the Corporation purchased jet fuel call options covering a portion of fuel exposure in the second half of 2023. The cash 
premium related to these contracts was $44 million. Premium costs and any hedging gains and losses are reclassified from other 
comprehensive income to Aircraft fuel expense on settlement of the derivatives. Fuel derivative contracts cash settled with a fair 
value of $95 million in favour of the Corporation, with a net hedging gain of $51 million recorded in Aircraft fuel expense. No hedge 
ineffectiveness was recorded. There were no outstanding fuel derivatives as at December 31, 2023 and there was no fuel hedging 
activity during 2022.

Foreign Exchange Risk
Air Canada’s financial results are reported in Canadian dollars, while a large portion of its expenses, debt obligations and capital 
commitments are in foreign currencies, primarily in U.S. dollars. Foreign exchange risk is the risk that fluctuations in foreign exchange 
rates may have on operating results and cash flows. Air Canada’s risk management objective is to reduce cash flow risk related to 
foreign denominated cash flows.

Air Canada generates certain sales in U.S. dollars and in other foreign currencies which are converted to U.S. dollars under Air Canada’s 
risk management program. In 2023, these net operating cash inflows totalled approximately US$4.2 billion and U.S. denominated 
operating costs amounted to approximately US$7.8 billion. Non-operating cash outflows in U.S. dollars, primarily related to interest 
payments on U.S. dollar denominated debt and net financing outflows, amounted to approximately US$2.2 billion. In 2023, this 
resulted in a U.S. dollar net cash flow exposure of approximately US$5.8 billion.

64   |

ANNUAL REPORT 2023Air Canada has a target coverage of 60% on a rolling 18-month basis to manage the net U.S. dollar cash flow exposure described above 
utilizing the following risk management strategies:

•  Holding U.S. dollar cash reserves as an economic hedge against changes in the value of the U.S. dollar. U.S. dollar cash, short 
and long-term investment balances as at December 31, 2023 amounted to $1,123 million (US$845 million)—$693 million 
(US$511 million) as at December 31, 2022. A portion of the cash and investment reserves are an economic hedge against long-
term U.S. dollar debt while the remainder of the cash is operational cash and investment reserves which are applied against the 
rolling 18-month net U.S. dollar cash flow exposure. In 2023, a loss of $18 million (gain of $72 million in 2022) was recorded in 
Foreign exchange gain (loss) reflecting the change in Canadian equivalent market value of the U.S. dollar cash, short and long-term 
investment balances held.

•  Locking in the foreign exchange rate through the use of a variety of foreign exchange derivatives which have maturity dates 

corresponding to the forecasted dates of U.S. dollar net outflows. 

The level of foreign exchange derivatives entered into and their related maturity dates are dependent upon a number of factors, which 
include the amount of foreign revenue conversion available, U.S. dollar net cash outflows, as well as the amount attributed to aircraft 
and debt payments. Based on the notional amount of currency derivatives outstanding at December 31, 2023, as further described 
below, approximately 63% of net U.S. cash outflows are hedged for 2024 and 39% for 2025, resulting in derivative coverage of 56% 
over the next 18 months, as of December 31, 2023. Operational U.S. dollar cash and investment reserves combined with derivative 
coverage results in 60% coverage over the next 18 months as of December 31, 2023.

As at December 31, 2023, Air Canada had outstanding foreign currency options and swap agreements, settling in 2024 and 2025, 
to purchase at maturity $5,982 million (US$4,542 million) of U.S. dollars at a weighted average rate of $1.3089 per US$1.00 
(2022 – $5,798 million (US$4,310 million) with settlements in 2023 and 2024 at a weighted average rate of $1.2986 per $1.00 U.S. 
dollar). Air Canada also has protection in place to sell a portion of its excess Euros, Sterling, YEN,  and AUD (EUR €276 million, GBP 
£166 million, JPY ¥14,797 million, and AUD $124 million) which settle in 2024 and 2025 at weighted average rates of €1.1292, £1.2790, 
¥0.0075, and AUD $0.6920 per $1.00 U.S. dollar, respectively (as at December 31, 2022 – EUR €198 million, GBP £244 million, JPY 
¥17,405 million, CNH ¥355 million and AUD $126 million with settlement in 2023 and 2024 at weighted average rates of €1.0828, 
£1.2467, ¥0.0082, ¥0.1419, and AUD $0.7072 respectively per $1.00 U.S. dollar). 

The hedging structures put in place have various option pricing features, such as knock-out terms and profit cap limitations, and based 
on the assumed volatility used in the fair value calculation, the net fair value of these foreign currency contracts as at December 31, 
2023 was $165 million in favour of the counterparties (2022 – $140 million in favour of the counterparties). These derivative 
instruments have not been designated as hedges for accounting purposes and are recorded at fair value. During 2023, a gain of 
$139 million was recorded in Foreign exchange gain (loss) related to these derivatives (2022 – $174 million gain). In 2023, foreign 
exchange derivative contracts cash settled with a net fair value of $163 million in favour of Air Canada (2022 – $46 million in favour of 
the Corporation).

Interest Rate Risk
Interest rate risk is the risk that the fair value or future cash flows of a financial instrument will fluctuate because of changes in market 
interest rates. 

Air Canada enters into both fixed and floating rate debt and also leases certain assets where the rental amount fluctuates based on 
changes in short term interest rates. Air Canada manages interest rate risk on a portfolio basis and seeks financing terms in individual 
arrangements that are most advantageous taking into account all relevant factors, including credit margin, term and basis. The risk 
management objective is to minimize the potential for changes in interest rates to cause adverse changes in cash flows to Air Canada. 
The cash and short-term investment portfolio which earns a floating rate of return is an economic hedge for a portion of the floating 
rate debt. 

The ratio of fixed to floating rate obligations outstanding is designed to maintain flexibility in the Corporation’s capital structure and 
is based upon a long-term objective of 60% fixed and 40% floating but allows flexibility to adjust to prevailing market conditions. The 
ratio at December 31, 2023 was 75% fixed and 25% floating (71% and 29%, respectively as at December 31, 2022).

|   65

ANNUAL REPORT 202312

Accounting Policies 

Information on Air Canada’s accounting policies is provided in 
Note 2 of Air Canada’s audited consolidated financial statements 
and notes for 2023, including future changes in accounting 
policies for amendments to standards not yet effective. 

Amendments to IAS 1, Presentation of Financial 
Statements – Disclosure of Accounting Policies

In February 2021, the IASB issued amendments to IAS 1 that 
require entities to disclose material accounting policy information 
instead of significant accounting policies. The amendments are 
effective for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2023. 
The Corporation adopted this amendment effective the 2023 
annual period with no substantial impact on the disclosure of its 
accounting policies.

IAS 12 Income Taxes 

In May 2023, the IASB issued an amendment to IAS 12. The 
amendment addresses accounting for the global minimum tax 
as outlined in the two-pillar plan for international tax reform 
developed by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation 
and Development. The objective of the tax reform is to ensure 
that large multinational enterprises are subject to a minimum 
income tax rate of 15% in each jurisdiction they operate. The 
amendment to IAS 12 includes temporary mandatory relief 
from recognizing and disclosing deferred taxes related to the 
implementation of Pillar Two global minimum tax rules. As of 
December 31, 2023, the Pillar Two legislation has not yet been 
enacted or substantively enacted in any of the jurisdictions where 
the Corporation has a constituent entity for the purposes of Pillar 
Two. As such, the Corporation has yet to apply the temporary 
exemption. The Corporation will disclose known or reasonably 
estimable information related to the Corporation’s exposure 
to Pillar Two income taxes when it is enacted or substantively 
enacted in a jurisdiction where the Corporation has a constituent 
entity and will disclose separately current tax related to Pillar Two 
income taxes when it is in effect.

66   |

13

Critical Accounting Estimates and 
Judgments

Critical accounting estimates are those estimates of management 
that are most important to the portrayal of Air Canada’s financial 
condition and results of operations. They require management’s 
most difficult, subjective or complex judgments, often because 
of the need to make estimates and judgments about the effect of 
matters that are inherently uncertain. Actual results could differ 
materially from those estimates and judgments. 

Significant estimates and judgments made in the preparation of 
Air Canada’s consolidated financial statements include, but are 
not limited to, the following areas.

Impairment Considerations on Long-lived 
Assets
When required, an impairment test is performed by comparing 
the carrying amount of the asset or cash-generating unit to their 
recoverable amount, which is calculated as the higher of an asset’s 
or cash-generating unit’s fair value less costs to dispose and its 
value in use. Fair value less costs to dispose may be calculated 
based upon a discounted cash flow analysis, which requires 
management to make a number of significant market participant 
assumptions including assumptions relating to cash flow 
projections, discount rates and future growth rates. 

Aeroplan Loyalty Program
Loyalty program accounting requires management to make 
several estimates including the ETV of Aeroplan Points issued 
and the breakage on Aeroplan Points. The ETV of Aeroplan Points 
issued is determined based on the value a passenger receives by 
redeeming Points for a ticket rather than paying cash. This ETV is 
estimated with reference to historical Aeroplan redemptions as 
compared to equivalent ticket purchases after considering similar 
fare conditions, advance booking periods and other relevant 
factors including the selling price of Points to third parties. ETV 
estimates and assumptions are considered for updates at least 
annually. A change in the ETV rate is accounted for prospectively.

Breakage represents the estimated Points that are not expected to 
be redeemed. Breakage is estimated by management based on the 
terms and conditions of membership and historical accumulation 
and redemption patterns, as adjusted for changes to any terms 
and conditions or other circumstances that may affect future 
redemptions. Management uses statistical and simulation models 
to estimate breakage. A change in assumptions as to the number 
of Points expected to be redeemed could have a significant impact 
on revenue in the year in which the change occurs. Given the 
unique impact of the COVID-19 pandemic had on travel demand 
and consumer spending patterns, and considering the launch 
of the new Aeroplan program in 2020 and the special benefits 
and accommodations for Aeroplan Members in response to the 
COVID-19 pandemic, the breakage estimate is unchanged in 2023 
and is based on a qualitative update of the prior assessment. 
In addition, the estimate is based on management’s long-term 
expectations of breakage over the life of the program.

As at December 31, 2023, the Aeroplan points deferred 
revenue balance was $3,562 million. For illustrative purposes, 
a hypothetical 1% change in the number of outstanding points 

ANNUAL REPORT 2023estimated to be redeemed would result in an approximate impact 
of $36 million on revenue with a corresponding adjustment to 
Aeroplan deferred revenue. 

Breakage
Breakage estimates and resulting amount of breakage revenues 
recorded are estimated based on historical breakage patterns and 
are subject to measurement uncertainty. Estimates of breakage 
may vary in future periods. These estimates have been impacted 
by the COVID-19 pandemic including: (i) flight cancellations, (ii) 
the conversion of certain tickets into non-expiring travel vouchers 
for flights that were cancelled with travel dates after February 
1, 2020 and purchased before April 13, 2021, and (iii) changes in 
ticket usage and exchange patterns.

Depreciation and Amortization Period for 
Long-lived Assets
The Corporation makes estimates about the expected useful 
lives of long-lived assets and the expected residual value of the 
assets based on the estimated current and future fair values of 
the assets, the Corporation’s fleet plans and the cash flows they 
generate. Changes to these estimates, which can be significant, 
could be caused by a variety of factors, including changes to 
maintenance programs, changes in jet fuel prices and other 
operating costs, changes in utilization of the aircraft, and changing 
market prices for new and used aircraft of the same or similar 
types. Estimates and assumptions are evaluated at least annually. 
Generally, these adjustments are accounted for on a prospective 
basis, through depreciation and amortization expense. For 
the purposes of sensitivity analysis on these estimates, a 50% 
reduction to residual values on aircraft with remaining useful 
lives greater than five years results in an increase of $14 million to 
annual depreciation expense. For aircraft with shorter remaining 
useful lives, the residual values are not expected to change 
significantly. 

Maintenance Provisions 
The recording of maintenance provisions related to return 
conditions on aircraft leases requires management to make 
estimates of the future costs associated with the maintenance 
events required under the lease return condition and estimates 
of the expected future maintenance condition of the aircraft 
at the time of lease expiry. These estimates take into account 
current costs of these maintenance events, estimates of inflation 
surrounding these costs as well as assumptions surrounding 
utilization of the related aircraft. Any difference in the actual 
maintenance cost incurred at the end of the lease and the amount 
of the provision is recorded in Aircraft maintenance expense in the 
period. The effect of any changes in estimates, including changes 
in discount rates, inflation assumptions, cost estimates or lease 
expiries, is recognized as an adjustment to the right-of-use asset.  

Income Taxes
Since 2020, the net deferred income tax assets related to unused 
tax losses and other deductible temporary differences have 
not been recognized.  As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, 
there was considerable negative evidence relating to losses that 
were incurred at that time and assumptions as to the timing of 
reversal of temporary differences include expectations about the 
future results of operations and future cash flows. Management 
continues to assess the available positive and negative evidence 
to estimate whether sufficient future taxable income will be 
generated to permit use of the existing deferred tax assets. 
Deferred tax assets have only been recognized to the extent of 
taxable temporary differences expected to reverse and generate 
taxable income against which the deferred tax assets can be 
utilized. The future income tax deductions underlying the 
unrecognized deferred income tax assets remain available for use 
in the future to reduce taxable income.

Employee Future Benefits
The cost and related liabilities of the Corporation’s pension, other 
post-retirement and post-employment benefit programs are 
determined using actuarial valuations. The actuarial valuations 
involve assumptions and estimates including discount rates and 
mortality assumptions. Also, due to the long-term nature of these 
programs, such estimates are subject to significant uncertainty.

Assumptions
Management is required to make estimates about actuarial and 
financial assumptions to determine the cost and related liabilities 
of Air Canada’s employee future benefits. 

Discount Rate

The discount rate used to determine the pension obligation was 
determined by reference to market interest rates on corporate 
bonds rated “AA” or better with cash flows that approximate the 
timing and amount of expected benefit payments.

Future Increases in Compensation

Estimates surrounding assumptions of future increases in 
compensation are based upon the current compensation 
policies, Air Canada’s long-range plans, labour and employment 
agreements and economic forecasts. 

Mortality Assumptions

Mortality tables and improvement scales issued by the 
Canadian Institute of Actuaries (revised in 2014) were taken into 
account in selecting management’s best estimate mortality 
assumption used to calculate the accrued benefit obligation as at 
December 31, 2023 and 2022.

|   67

ANNUAL REPORT 2023The weighted average assumptions used to determine the Corporation’s accrued benefit obligations and cost are as follows:

Discount rate used to determine:

Net interest on the net defined benefit obligation for the year ended 
December 31

Service cost for the year ended December 31

Accrued benefit obligation as at December 31

Rate of future increases in compensation used to determine:

Accrued benefit cost and service cost for the year ended December 
31
Accrued benefit obligation as at  
December 31

Pension Benefits

Other Employee Future Benefits

2023

2022

2023

2022

5.28%

5.28%

4.64%

3.20%

3.37%

5.28%

5.28%

5.28%

4.64%

3.20%

3.37%

5.28%

2.75%

2.50%

Not applicable Not applicable

2.75%

2.75%

Not applicable Not applicable

Sensitivity Analysis
Sensitivity analysis is based on changing one assumption while holding all other assumptions constant. In practice, this may be unlikely 
to occur, and changes in some of the assumptions may be correlated. When calculating the sensitivity of the defined benefit obligation 
to variations in significant actuarial assumptions, the same method (present value of the defined benefit obligation calculated with 
the projected unit credit method at the end of the reporting period) has been applied as for calculating the liability recognized in the 
consolidated statement of financial position.

Sensitivity analysis on 2023 pension expense, net interest relating to pension benefit liabilities and pension obligation, based on 
different actuarial assumptions with respect to discount rate is set out below. The effects on each pension plan of a change in an 
assumption are weighted proportionately to the total plan obligation to determine the total impact for each assumption presented. 

(Canadian dollars in millions)

Discount rate on obligation assumption 

Pension expense
Net interest relating to pension benefit liabilities
Total 

Increase (decrease) in pension obligation

0.25 Percentage Point

Decrease

Increase

$

$

$

12
(1)
11

$

$

(11)
-
(11)

591

$ (573)

The increase (decrease) in the pension obligation for a 0.25-percentage-point change in the discount rate relates to the gross amount 
of the pension liabilities and is before the impact of any change in plan assets. As at December 31, 2023, approximately 85% of 
Air Canada’s pension assets were invested in fixed income instruments to mitigate a significant portion of the interest rate (discount 
rate) risk.

An increase of one year in life expectancy would increase the pension benefit obligation by $431 million.

Assumed health care cost trend rates impact the amounts reported for the health care plans. A 4.50% annual rate of increase in the 
per capita cost of covered health care benefits was assumed for 2023 and thereafter (2022 – 4.75% and decrease gradually to 4.5% 
by 2023). A one-percentage-point increase in assumed health care trend rates would have increased the total of current service and 
interest costs by $5 million and the obligation by $62 million. A one-percentage-point decrease in assumed health care trend rates 
would have decreased the total of current service and interest costs by $4 million and the obligation by $64 million.

A 0.25-percentage-point decrease in discount rate for other employee future benefits would have increased the total of current and 
interest costs by less than $1 million and the obligation by $36 million. A 0.25-percentage-point increase in discount rate would have 
decreased the total of current and interest costs by less than $1 million and the obligation by $34 million.

68   |

ANNUAL REPORT 2023 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
14

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

15

Related Party Transactions

At December 31, 2023, Air Canada had no transactions with 
related parties as defined in the CPA Handbook, except those 
pertaining to transactions with key management personnel 
in the ordinary course of their employment or directorship 
agreements.

Guarantees
Air Canada participates in fuel facility arrangements 
operated through nine Fuel Facility Corporations, and three 
aircraft de-icing service facilities, along with other airlines 
that contract for fuel and de-icing services at various major 
airports in Canada. These entities operate on a cost recovery 
basis. The aggregate debt of these entities that has not been 
consolidated by the Corporation under IFRS 10 Consolidated 
Financial Statements is approximately $1,215 million as at 
December 31, 2023 (December 31, 2022 – $1,181 million), 
which is Air Canada’s maximum exposure to loss before 
taking into consideration the value of the assets that secure 
the obligations and any cost sharing that would occur among 
the other contracting airlines. Air Canada views this loss 
potential as remote. Each contracting airline participating 
in these entities shares pro rata, based on system usage, 
in the guarantee of this debt. The maturities of these debt 
arrangements vary but generally extend beyond five years.

Indemnification Agreements
In the ordinary course of Air Canada’s business, Air Canada 
enters into a variety of agreements, such as real estate 
leases or operating agreements, aircraft financing or leasing 
agreements, technical service agreements, and director/officer 
contracts, and other commercial agreements, some of which 
may provide for indemnifications to counterparties that may 
require Air Canada to pay for costs and/or losses incurred by 
such counterparties. Air Canada cannot reasonably estimate 
the potential amount, if any, it could be required to pay under 
such indemnifications. Such amount would also depend on 
the outcome of future events and conditions, which cannot 
be predicted. While certain agreements specify a maximum 
potential exposure, certain others do not specify a maximum 
amount or a limited period. Historically, Air Canada has not 
made any significant payments under these indemnifications.

Air Canada expects that it would be covered by insurance 
for most extra-contractual liabilities and certain contractual 
indemnities.

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ANNUAL REPORT 202316

Sensitivity of Results

Air Canada’s financial results are subject to many different internal and external factors which can have a significant impact on 
operating results. The following table describes, on an indicative basis, the financial impact that changes in fuel prices and the value 
of the Canadian dollar would generally have had on Air Canada’s past operating results. An equivalent but opposite movement of 
the sensitivity factor in the table below would have generally resulted in a similar but opposite impact. These guidelines were derived 
from 2023 levels of activity and are based on management estimates. The impacts are not additive, do not reflect the interdependent 
relationship of the elements and may not be indicative of future trends or results which may vary significantly due to a wide range of 
factors many of which are beyond the control of Air Canada.

Key Variable

2024 Measure

Sensitivity Factor

(Canadian dollars in millions)

Favourable/ (Unfavourable) 
Estimated Operating Income 
Impact/Pre-tax Income

Fuel

Fuel – Jet fuel price (US$/barrel) (1)

Fuel – Jet fuel price (C$/litre) (1)

$129.0

$1.13

US$1/barrel increase

1% increase

Currency Exchange

C$ to US$

US$1=C$1.33

1 cent appreciation

(i.e. from $1.34 to $1.33 per 
US$) 

Operating income (2)

Net interest expense

Revaluation of long-term debt 
and lease liabilities, U.S. dollar 
cash, cash equivalents and 
short-term investments, and 
other long-term monetary 
items, net

Remeasurement of outstanding 
currency derivatives

Pre-tax income impact

$ (45)

$ (58)

$ 36

5

78

(45)

$ 74

(1)  Excludes the impact of carrier surcharges and fuel hedging (if any).
(2)  The operating income impact of currency exchange movements is before the impact of hedging activities, such as through the use of foreign currency derivatives and holding U.S. dollar cash reserves. The gains and losses 

related to these hedging activities are recorded in non-operating income (expense) on Air Canada’s consolidated statement of operations. 

70   |

ANNUAL REPORT 202317

Enterprise Risk Management and Governance

Overview
The management of opportunities and risks is an integral part 
of Air Canada’s business processes. Strategic decisions are made 
by the executive team with consideration of risk implications to 
the business and its stakeholders. Risks which may be material 
to Air Canada are identified and monitored on an on-going basis 
through Air Canada’s Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) program 
which provides insight on a regular basis to the Board of Directors 
through the Board’s Audit, Finance and Risk Committee.

Board Oversight
Risk management is an integral part of Air Canada’s corporate 
governance. The Board of Directors has established board 
committees (Audit, Finance and Risk Committee; Safety, 
Health, Environment and Security Committee; Governance and 
Nominating Committee; and Human Resources, Compensation 
and Pension Committee) to assist in the oversight responsibilities. 

Risk information is reviewed by the Board or the relevant Board 
committee on a quarterly basis. In addition, Board committees 
review and discuss with management, on a regular basis, all key 
enterprise risk exposures based on their respective terms of 
reference set out in committee charters and the steps taken that 
seek to monitor/control and mitigate those exposures to satisfy 
themselves as to the effective risk management of the individual 
risks. These processes seek to appropriately mitigate rather than 
eliminate risk.

The Audit, Finance and Risk Committee is responsible for the 
oversight of the ERM program and the work carried out by 
the Corporate Audit and Advisory department, as stated in its 
committee charter.

ERM risk reporting is maintained by the Corporate Audit and 
Advisory department, which provides an independent update as 
to the state of each enterprise risk on a quarterly basis.

Risk Management Framework and Structure
Air Canada’s enterprise risk management framework has been 
developed to support governance and oversight over Air Canada’s 
most important strategic risks and is aligned to the ISO 31000 
standard and COSO ERM 2017 framework. 

Policies and processes are in place to manage specific risks such 
as safety, security, fraud, cybersecurity, privacy, environment and 
fuel price. 

Sound business practices and ethical behaviour are also 
fundamental to Air Canada’s risk governance culture. Air Canada 
has in place (and updates, as required) a Corporate Policy and 
Guidelines on Business Conduct (Code of Conduct), which sets 
out guiding principles and ethical standards that apply to all 
Air Canada’s corporate activities. A confidential, anonymous 
reporting process and ethics committee are also in place to 
oversee adherence to the Code of Conduct.   

Air Canada’s risk management structure is aligned with the “Three 
Lines Model” approach to risk management: 

1st line - Business functions are expected to integrate risk 
management when performing their day-to-day core commercial 
and operational activities. 

2nd line - Support functions establish policies, provide guidance 
and expertise, and risk oversight (e.g. Safety, Security, Legal and 
Compliance, Finance/Treasury/Tax, Sourcing and Procurement, 
Government Affairs, People, Environment, IT Operations and 
Cybersecurity). 

3rd line - Corporate Audit and Advisory department provides 
an independent and objective perspective on Air Canada’s 
governance, risk management practices and controls. 

Air Canada’s ERM and governance structure is as follows:

Board of Directors

Board Committees

Executive Leadership Team /  
Risk Owners

Management Risk Oversight / 
Corporate Support Functions / 
Committees 

(2nd Line)

Corporate Audit 
and Advisory / 
Independent Risk 
Reporting 

(3rd Line)

Line Managers and Core  
Business Activities 

(1st Line)

Although the risk management framework described in this 
section is aligned with industry best practices, there can be no 
assurance that it will be sufficient to prevent the occurrence 
of events that could have a material adverse effect on our 
financial position, financial performance, cash flows, business or 
reputation.

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ANNUAL REPORT 202318

Risk Factors

The risks described below should be read carefully when 
evaluating Air Canada’s business and the forward-looking 
statements contained in this report and other statements 
Air Canada may make from time to time. Any of these risks, 
individually or in combination, could materially and adversely 
affect Air Canada’s business, results from operations, financial 
condition as well as the outcome of matters as to which 
forward-looking statements are made. Should a risk materialize, 
circumstances at the time may also cause that risk to have a 
different impact than that which might otherwise have been 
expected. These risks may not be the only ones faced by 
Air Canada. Other risks of which Air Canada is not aware or which 
Air Canada deems not to be material may surface and have a 
material and adverse impact on Air Canada, its business, results 
from operations, financial condition and the outcome of matters 
as to which forward-looking statements are made.

Economic and geopolitical conditions – Changes in 
economic and geopolitical conditions could have a material 
adverse effect on Air Canada, its business, results from operations 
and financial condition. 

Air Canada’s results from operations are sensitive to and may be 
significantly impacted by economic and geopolitical conditions, 
which may also impact overall demand for air transportation or to 
or from certain destinations, the ability to operate to destinations 
or the viability or routes, operating costs and revenues, fuel 
cost and availability, foreign exchange costs, tax costs and the 
costs and availability of capital and supplies. Any prolonged 
or significant impact arising from economic and geopolitical 
conditions, including in relation to conflicts involving Israel and 
Hamas, or Russia and Ukraine, or other geopolitical conflicts, and 
civil unrest, as well as related responses of various governments 
and authorities (or lack thereof), infectious diseases, weakness 
of the Canadian, U.S. or world economies, inflation, changes to 
political, economic, fiscal or trade relationships within or between 
jurisdictions where Air Canada operates flights or does business, 
or threatened or actual conflicts or outbreaks of hostilities 
in or adjacent to regions Air Canada serves or over which it 
operates flights or does business could have a material adverse 
effect on Air Canada, its business, results from operations and 
financial condition.

Operating results – Air Canada may sustain significant losses 
and not be able to successfully achieve and/or sustain positive net 
profitability or realize the objectives of any or all its initiatives.

A variety of factors, including economic conditions and other 
factors described in this MD&A, may result in Air Canada 
incurring significant losses. The airline industry has historically 
been characterized by low profit margins and high fixed costs, and 
the costs of operating a flight do not vary significantly with the 
number of passengers carried. Therefore, a change in the number 
of passengers, fare pricing, margins or traffic mix, or increased 
costs, could have a significant impact on Air Canada’s operating 
and financial results. Due to the competitive nature of the airline 
industry and customer sensitivity to travel costs, Air Canada may 

72   |

not be able to pass on cost increases to its customers. Despite 
a focus on improving resiliency to downturns in its business as 
well as ongoing and planned strategic and business initiatives, 
Air Canada may not be able to successfully achieve and/or sustain 
positive net profitability or realize all of its objectives, including 
those that seek to increase revenues, decrease costs, improve 
margins, profitably deploy additional capacity, generate sufficient 
returns on its capital expenditures or offset or mitigate risks 
facing Air Canada, including those described in this MD&A.

Fares and market demand – Fluctuations in fares and 
demand for air travel could materially adversely impact 
Air Canada, its business, results from operations and financial 
condition. 

Air Canada fares and passenger demand, like those of other 
airlines, have fluctuated significantly in the past and may 
fluctuate significantly in the future, Air Canada cannot predict 
with certainty market conditions and the fares that Air Canada 
may be able to charge. Customer expectations and perception 
can change rapidly due to many factors, and the demand for 
lower fares or alternative modes of transportation may impact 
revenues. Travel, especially leisure travel, is a discretionary 
consumer expense. Demand for business and premium travel 
is also impacted by a variety of factors such as economic and 
geopolitical conditions. Many factors such as depressed economic 
conditions, geopolitical instability, infectious diseases, and 
concerns about the environmental impacts of air travel and 
tendencies toward less environmentally impactful travel, could 
each have the effect of reducing demand for air travel and fares 
and could materially adversely impact Air Canada, its business, 
results from operations and financial condition.

Competition – Air Canada operates in a highly competitive 
environment and faces increasing competition in Canada, North 
America and internationally. 

Air Canada operates within a highly competitive industry and 
continuously encounters substantial price competition. Carriers, 
including low-cost, ultra-low-cost, domestic, U.S. and foreign 
carriers, have entered, announced their intention to enter or 
continue to enter or expand into markets Air Canada operates 
in or plans to operate in, including domestic, U.S. transborder, 
international and leisure-oriented markets, as well as cargo 
transportation markets.

Carriers against which Air Canada competes, including U.S. and 
Canadian carriers, may undergo (and some have undergone) 
substantial reorganizations (including by way of merger with or 
acquisition by another carrier or entity), creating greater access 
to capital, reduced levels of indebtedness, lower operating costs 
and other competitive advantages. Consolidation within the 
airline industry and carriers increasingly entering into integrated 
commercial cooperation arrangements (including with multi-
modal operators) may also strengthen the ability of carriers 
to compete.

The prevalence of Internet travel websites and other travel 
product distribution channels has also resulted in a substantial 

ANNUAL REPORT 2023increase in new routings and discounted and promotional fares 
initiated by Air Canada’s competitors. Competitors also continue 
to pursue commissions and incentive actions and, in many cases, 
increase these payments. Air Canada’s ability to reduce its fares in 
order to effectively compete is dependent on its ability to achieve 
acceptable operating margins and may be limited by applicable 
laws or government policies to encourage competition.

Increased competition, from existing or new competitors, 
including competitors entering into new or expanded joint 
ventures and other arrangements, or using disruptive distribution, 
business models or technologies, and other competitive actions, 
or benefitting from foreign subsidies, government aid or other 
advantages not available to Air Canada, could have a material 
adverse effect on Air Canada, its business, results from operations 
and financial condition.

Dependence on technology – Air Canada relies heavily 
on technology to operate its business and any inadequacy, 
failure or security breach could have a material adverse effect 
on Air Canada, its business, results from operations and 
financial condition. 

Air Canada relies heavily on technology, including to operate its 
business, increase its revenues and reduce its costs. Air Canada’s 
technology systems include those relating to its websites, 
passenger sales and services, cargo services, airport customer 
services, flight operations, loyalty program, communications, 
distribution, and other business activities. Air Canada’s websites 
and other technology systems must efficiently accommodate 
a high volume of traffic and must securely and effectively 
process and deliver information critical to Air Canada’s business 
and operations. Air Canada’s business also requires the secure 
collection, processing, storage and effective governance of 
sensitive data, including personal information of its passengers, 
Aeroplan Members, employees, business partners and others. 
The effective, reliable and secure operation of the networks 
and systems (including third party systems) on which sensitive 
information is stored, transmitted and processed is critical to 
Air Canada’s business.

The technology systems Air Canada relies on also depend on the 
performance of its many suppliers and Air Canada has less direct 
oversight over their security ecosystem and practices. These 
suppliers’ performance is in turn dependent upon their respective 
technology ecosystems. Technology systems may be vulnerable 
to a variety of sources of failures, interruption or misuse, including 
by reason of human error, third-party suppliers’ acts or omissions, 
natural disasters, terrorist attacks, telecommunications failures, 
power failures, misuse, unauthorized or fraudulent users 
(including cyber-attacks, malware, ransomware, computer viruses 
and the like), and other operational and security issues. 

Like other entities operating in today’s digital business 
environment, we are subject to threats to the security of our 
networks, systems and data.  There is a growing number of 
sophisticated actors, including hackers, organized criminals, state-
sponsored actors and other parties, and information security 
attacks have continued to grow in complexity. The emergence 

of new technologies, such as artificial intelligence continues to 
grow these threats. The magnitude and frequency of information 
security breaches and their potential for damage has also 
continued to grow. 

In light of the evolving nature and sophistication of information 
security threats, our information security systems and controls 
must continuously adapt and require regular monitoring to 
ensure effectiveness. Despite our efforts, given the complexity 
and scale of our business, network infrastructure, technology 
and IT supporting systems, there can be no assurance that our 
information security systems and controls will be effective. We 
have been the target of cybersecurity attacks in the past and 
expect that we will continue to be in the future.

Any technology system failure, degradation, interruption, 
misuse or fraudulent use, security breach, or failure to comply 
with applicable confidentiality, privacy, security or other related 
obligations, whether at Air Canada or a third party on which 
Air Canada or its suppliers rely, could adversely affect Air Canada, 
including by damaging its reputation and exposing Air Canada 
to litigation, claims for contract breach, fines, sanctions and/or 
remediation costs, any of which could have a material adverse 
effect on Air Canada, its business, results from operations and 
financial condition.

Interruptions or disruptions in service – Interruptions 
or disruptions in service could have a material adverse effect 
on Air Canada, its business, results from operations and 
financial condition. 

Air Canada’s business is significantly dependent upon its 
ability to operate without interruption to or from a number 
of airports, including its main hubs at Toronto, Montréal, and 
Vancouver. Delays or disruptions in service may arise from a 
variety of factors, including the performance of airline industry 
participants on which Air Canada’s operations are dependent 
(including airports, security, customs, air navigation and other 
participants or services), security issues, technology failures, 
breaches or other incidents, weather conditions, labour shortages 
or conflicts in respect of personnel not employed by Air Canada 
such as airport workers, baggage handlers, air traffic controllers, 
security personnel, immigration and customs personnel and 
others supporting airport-related operations, infectious diseases, 
public health restrictions or other factors beyond the control 
of Air Canada. Any of these could have a material adverse 
impact on Air Canada, its business, results from operations and 
financial condition.

Interruptions and disruptions in service may be caused by, and 
the demand and cost of air travel may also be adversely impacted 
by, environmental conditions (which are also being driven by 
climate change which may also increase the frequency, duration 
and intensity of severe weather events), volcanic eruptions 
floods or other natural phenomena, as well as those arising from 
anthropogenic sources.  Such events, including on the ground and 
at altitude (including turbulence events), or impacting airports 
or destinations served or flight routes used by Air Canada may 
impact the viability or cost of flying to such destinations, cause 

|   73

ANNUAL REPORT 2023interruptions and disruptions in service, increase Air Canada’s 
costs or adversely impact demand for air travel, any of which 
could have a material adverse impact on Air Canada, its business, 
results from operations and financial condition.

Key supplies and suppliers – Air Canada’s failure or inability 
to source certain goods and services from key suppliers, including 
on favourable terms and on a timely basis could have a material 
adverse effect on Air Canada, its business, results from operations 
and financial condition.

Air Canada is dependent upon its ability to source, on favourable 
terms and costs, and without disruption, sufficient quantities 
of goods and services of desirable quality, in a timely manner or 
within planned timeframes, required for Air Canada’s business 
or operations, such as fuel, aircraft and related parts, catering, 
airport services (including customs and security services and 
infrastructure to support demand), de-icing services, airport 
slots, aircraft maintenance services, cargo handling services and 
facilities, and information technology systems and services.  Like 
other airlines, we are dependent on the high quality and stable 
engineering design, manufacturing and maintenance of aircraft 
and related parts and other products we purchase, and issues that 
arise may cause these to be unavailable.

In certain cases, Air Canada may only be able to source goods and 
services from a limited number of suppliers (or from sole source 
suppliers) and the transition to new or alternative suppliers, which 
may be necessitated by reason of such suppliers increasing their 
rates or by their failure, refusal or inability to deliver or perform, 
may not be possible or may take a significant amount of time or 
require significant resources. A failure, refusal, delay or inability 
of a supplier to supply Air Canada with goods and services of 
desirable quality on terms and pricing and within timeframes 
acceptable to Air Canada may arise as a result of a wide range of 
causes, many of which are beyond Air Canada’s control.  Global 
supply chains continue to be impacted since the end of the 
COVID-19 pandemic, including by reason of labour shortages, 
access to raw materials, and transportation logistics, and these 
have and may continue to impact Air Canada and its suppliers.

in collective bargaining with the Air Line Pilots Association, the 
union representing its pilots. As agreements with other unions 
will expire over the next few years, bargaining is expected 
to commence with them as well. Any future agreements or 
outcomes of negotiations or arbitrations, including in relation to 
wages or other labour costs or work rules, may result in increased 
labour costs or other charges, or terms and conditions restricting 
or reducing Air Canada’s ability to sustain its business objectives 
or pursue its strategic initiatives, which could have a material 
adverse effect on Air Canada, its business, results from operations 
and financial condition.

There can be no assurance that collective agreements will be 
further renewed, including on terms consistent with Air Canada’s 
expectations or comparable to its competitors’ labour 
agreements, without labour conflict or action or that there will 
not otherwise be any labour conflict or action that could also lead 
to a degradation, interruption or stoppage in Air Canada’s service 
or otherwise adversely affect the ability of Air Canada to execute 
on its business plans or operate its business, either of which could 
have a material adverse effect on Air Canada, its business, results 
from operations and financial condition.

In respect of the unions for Canadian-based employees, strikes or 
lockouts may lawfully occur following the term and negotiations 
of the renewal of collective agreements once a number of pre-
conditions prescribed by the Canada Labour Code have been 
satisfied.

Any labour disruption or work stoppage by any of the unionized 
work groups of Jazz or other airlines operating flights on behalf 
of Air Canada, or other key suppliers, or of other parties with 
which Air Canada conducts business or relies on could have 
a material adverse effect on Air Canada, its business, results 
from operations and financial condition. In addition, labour 
conflicts at Star Alliance® partners or involving the operations 
of key airports could result in lower demand for connecting 
traffic with Air Canada, which could have a material adverse 
effect on Air Canada, its business, results from operations and 
financial condition.

Any failure or the inability of Air Canada to successfully source 
goods and services of desirable quality on terms and pricing and 
within the timeframes acceptable to Air Canada could have a 
material adverse effect on Air Canada, its business, results from 
operations and financial condition.

Strategic, business, technology and other important 
initiatives – A delay or failure to identify and devise, invest in 
and implement certain important initiatives could have a material 
impact on Air Canada, its business, results from operations and 
financial condition. 

Labour costs and labour relations – Air Canada may 
not be able to maintain labour costs at appropriate levels or 
secure labour agreements that permit it to successfully pursue 
its strategic initiatives. There can be no assurance that collective 
bargaining agreements will be renewed without labour conflicts 
and/or disruptions. 

Labour costs constitute one of Air Canada’s largest operating cost 
items. There can be no assurance that Air Canada will be able 
to maintain such costs at levels that do not negatively affect its 
business, results from operations and financial condition. Most 
of Air Canada’s employees are unionized. Air Canada is engaged 

74   |

In order to operate its business, achieve its goals and remain 
competitive, Air Canada continually seeks to identify and devise, 
invest in, implement and pursue strategic, business, technology 
and other important initiatives, including to source of aircraft, 
participate in the leisure or lower-cost market, enter into or 
expand joint venture arrangements, address climate change, 
enhance revenues, reduce costs, improve business processes, 
implement new technologies (including artificial intelligence), 
expand network and capacity, and initiatives seeking to improve 
and ensure a consistently high-quality customer service 
experience. Strategic initiatives, including their development and 
implementation, may be adversely impacted by a wide range of 

ANNUAL REPORT 2023factors, many of which are beyond Air Canada’s control. Such 
factors include the need to seek legal or regulatory approvals, the 
performance of third parties (including suppliers, their products 
and services), their integration into Air Canada’s other activities 
and processes as well as the adoption and acceptance of these 
initiatives including by Air Canada’s customers, suppliers and 
personnel. A delay or a failure to sufficiently and successfully 
identify and devise, invest in or implement any strategic or 
important initiative could adversely affect Air Canada’s ability to 
operate its business, achieve its goals and remain competitive and 
could have a material adverse effect on Air Canada, its business, 
results from operations and financial condition.

Fuel costs – Significant fluctuations or increases in fuel prices 
could have a material adverse effect on Air Canada, its business, 
results from operations and financial condition. 

Fuel costs constitute one of Air Canada’s largest operating cost 
items. Fuel prices fluctuate widely depending on many factors, 
including international market conditions, geopolitical events, 
jet fuel supply and refining costs, carbon pricing, or other climate 
change related regulations, taxes, levies or other measures, 
and the Canada/U.S. dollar exchange rate. Air Canada cannot 
accurately predict the future price of fuel and it may not be 
able to sufficiently, or may not, hedge the risk associated with 
fluctuations in fuel prices. Due to the competitive nature of the 
airline industry, Air Canada may not be able to pass on increases 
in fuel prices to its customers by increasing its pricing. Significant 
fluctuations (including increases) in fuel prices could have a 
material adverse effect on Air Canada, its business, results from 
operations and financial condition.

Financial Leverage – Air Canada has a significant amount of 
financial indebtedness. Air Canada may also not be able to obtain 
sufficient funds in a timely manner and on acceptable terms to 
provide adequate liquidity and to finance necessary operating and 
capital expenditures. 

Air Canada has a significant amount of financial indebtedness 
from fixed obligations, including substantial obligations under 
aircraft leases, aircraft purchases and other financings. While 
Air Canada actively seeks to manage its indebtedness, it may incur 
greater levels of indebtedness than currently exist or are planned.

The amount of indebtedness that Air Canada has and which 
it may incur in the future could have a material adverse effect 
on Air Canada. The ability of Air Canada to make scheduled 
payments under its indebtedness may depend on, among 
other things, its future operating performance and its ability 
to refinance its indebtedness, if necessary. Air Canada incurs a 
significant proportion of its indebtedness in foreign currencies, 
primarily in U.S. dollars, and as a result, future debt servicing 
repayments are subject to foreign exchange risk. There can be no 
assurance that Air Canada will at all times be able to generate 
sufficient cash from its operations to satisfy its debts, lease and 
other obligations and continue to pursue capital expenditures, and 
other business initiatives or strategic plans. Each of these factors 
is, to a large extent, subject to economic, financial, competitive, 

regulatory, operational and other factors, many of which are 
beyond Air Canada’s control.

Need for capital and liquidity – Air Canada may not be 
able to obtain sufficient funds in a timely way and on acceptable 
terms to provide adequate liquidity and to finance necessary 
operating and capital expenditures.

Air Canada’s liquidity levels may be adversely impacted by 
risks identified in this MD&A, including geopolitical, economic 
and public health conditions, foreign exchange rates, increased 
competition, volatile fuel prices, labour issues, and contractual 
covenants. As part of Air Canada’s efforts to manage risk and to 
support its business strategy, significant liquidity and significant 
ongoing operating and capital expenditures are required.

Air Canada’s level of indebtedness, as well as market conditions 
and the availability of assets as collateral for loans or other 
indebtedness, may make it difficult for Air Canada to raise 
additional capital if needed to meet its liquidity needs on 
acceptable terms, or at all.

A major decline in the market price of Air Canada’s securities, 
including a major decline in capital markets in general, a 
downgrade in Air Canada’s credit ratings, differences between 
Air Canada’s actual or anticipated financial results and the 
published expectations of financial analysts, and differences 
between the estimated and available value of Air Canada’s 
unencumbered assets, as well as events affecting its business 
or operating environment, may negatively impact Air Canada’s 
ability to raise capital, issue debt, borrow on acceptable terms, 
attract and/or retain key employees, make strategic acquisitions, 
enter into business arrangements or operate its business.

There can be no assurance that Air Canada will continue to 
maintain sufficient liquidity, whether from operations or by 
obtaining funds on terms acceptable to Air Canada, to finance 
the operating and capital expenditures necessary to support its 
business strategy and manage any challenges.

Regional carrier service – The failure by a regional carrier to 
fulfill its obligations to Air Canada could have a material adverse 
effect on Air Canada, its business, results from operations and 
financial condition. 

Air Canada enhances its network through agreements with 
certain airlines such as Jazz which operate flights on behalf of 
Air Canada. Pursuant to the terms of the Jazz CPA, Air Canada 
pays Jazz a number of fees, some of which are fixed and others 
that are determined based upon certain costs incurred by Jazz. 
Air Canada also reimburses Jazz for certain pass- through costs 
incurred by Jazz (or arranges to provide the related supplies 
to Jazz), such as fuel costs, navigation fees, landing fees and 
terminal fees. In addition, the Jazz CPA requires that Jazz maintain 
a minimum fleet size and contains a minimum average daily 
utilization guarantee, which requires Air Canada to use Jazz for 
that amount of flying. Significant increases in Jazz’s costs, the 
failure by Jazz to adequately fulfill its obligations under the Jazz 
CPA, factors that may reduce the utilization of the Jazz fleet, 

|   75

ANNUAL REPORT 2023including economic or market downturns, and unexpected 
interruptions or cessation of Jazz’s services, as well as similar 
circumstances relating to other airlines from whom Air Canada 
may source regional capacity, could have a material adverse effect 
on Air Canada, its business, results from operations and financial 
condition.

Personnel – Air Canada is dependent on key employees and 
having sufficient personnel and could be materially adversely 
affected by a shortfall or substantial turnover. 

Air Canada is dependent on its ability to attract and retain a 
variety of employees, including senior leadership, managers, 
airline flight, technology and operations personnel and other 
key employees, including for specialized technical roles, having 
the necessary industry experience, qualifications and knowledge 
in order to execute its business plan and operate its business. If 
Air Canada were to experience a shortfall or a substantial turnover 
in its key employees (including as a result of the more competitive 
labour market), Air Canada, its business, results from operations 
and financial condition could be materially adversely affected.

Infectious diseases – Infectious diseases could impact 
passenger demand for air travel. 

Outbreaks or the threat of outbreaks of viruses or other 
contagions or infectious diseases, including an epidemic or a 
pandemic such as COVID-19, influenza, SARS, Ebola, Zika, as 
well as any government actions, or travel or other advisories 
relating to same, whether domestic or international or whether 
relating to Canadian cities or regions or other cities, regions or 
countries, could have a material adverse effect on demand for air 
travel and could have a material adverse effect on Air Canada, its 
business, results from operations and financial condition. During 
the period from March 2020 until early- to mid-2022, Air Canada 
and the rest of the global airline industry faced significantly 
lower traffic than in 2019, and a corresponding decline in revenue 
and cash flows, as a result of the COVID- 19 pandemic and the 
travel restrictions imposed in many countries around the world 
including in Canada. Conditions have improved significantly, and 
travel restrictions have been lifted in many countries, including in 
Canada, however, there can be no assurance that there will not 
be further impacts or that the recovery will continue as expected, 
including as a result of further waves, supply chain disruptions and 
inflationary pressures.

Regulatory matters – Air Canada is subject to extensive and 
continually evolving domestic and international legal, regulatory 
and administrative controls and oversight.

Air Canada and the airline industry are subject to extensive and 
continually evolving domestic and international legal, regulatory 
and administrative controls and oversight, including in relation 
to taxes,  charges, airport fees and operations, route rights, 
airport slots, aircraft operations and maintenance, security, air 
passenger and consumer protection rights, public health and 
safety, accessibility of transportation, flight crew and other 
labour rules, privacy, data security, marketing and advertising, 

76   |

licensing, competition, joint ventures, pensions, environment 
(including in relation to fuel management, pollution, climate 
change, greenhouse gas emissions and noise levels), customs, 
immigration, foreign exchange controls, repatriation of funds and, 
in some measure, pricing.

Air Canada is subject to significant and continually evolving 
tax laws, regulations and interpretations, which apply to its 
operations in various jurisdictions throughout the world. For 
example, a significant majority of countries in the Organisation 
for Economic Co-operation and Development’s (OECD) Inclusive 
Framework approved a framework that imposes a global 
minimum tax rate of 15%. Canada introduced draft legislation to 
implement it and other jurisdictions that Air Canada operates to 
have also indicated their intent to introduce similar legislation. 
The OECD also continues to work on proposed changes to 
profit reallocation to market jurisdictions. Air Canada cannot 
predict whether, or the manner in which, proposed domestic 
and international laws (including in respect of the work of the 
OECD Inclusive Framework), regulations and administrative 
requirements or similar initiatives will ultimately be implemented 
or their impact on Air Canada. 

Air Canada has and continues to establish targets, make 
commitments, and assess the impact regarding climate change, 
and related initiatives, plans and proposals that Air Canada and 
other stakeholders (including government, regulatory and other 
bodies) are pursuing in relation to climate change and carbon 
emissions. Air Canada has incurred, and expects to continue to 
incur, costs to achieve its goal of net zero carbon emissions and 
to comply with environmental sustainability legislation and 
regulation and other standards and accords. The precise nature 
of future binding or non-binding legislation, regulation, standards 
and accords, which is receiving increased focus of multiple 
stakeholders locally and internationally, cannot be predicted 
with any degree of certainty nor can their financial, operational 
or other impact. There can be no assurance of the extent to 
which any of our climate goals will be achieved or that any 
future investments that we make in furtherance of achieving our 
climate goals will produce the expected results or meet increasing 
stakeholder environmental, social and governance expectations. 
Moreover, future events could lead Air Canada to prioritize other 
nearer-term interests over progressing toward our current climate 
goals based on business strategy, economic, regulatory and social 
factors, business strategy or potential pressure from investors, 
activist groups or other stakeholders. If we are unable to meet 
or properly report on our progress toward achieving our climate 
change goals and commitments, we could face adverse publicity 
and reactions from other investors, customers, advocacy groups, 
or other stakeholders, which could result in reputational harm or 
other adverse effects to Air Canada.

While Air Canada seeks to comply with all applicable laws, 
regulations and administrative requirements, compliance may 
involve significant judgment in interpreting them. Furthermore, 
interpretations as well as the application and enforcement of 
such requirements may evolve due to numerous factors, including 
decisions by courts, regulators, administrative and other bodies. 
Compliance (including failure to comply) with current or future 

ANNUAL REPORT 2023domestic and international laws, regulations and administrative 
requirements, including potentially inconsistent or conflicting 
laws or regulations, or laws or regulations that disproportionally 
apply to Canadian airlines or Air Canada specifically, may 
impose significant costs (including taxes, fines, penalties and/or 
levies), impediments and/or competitive disadvantages. There 
cannot be any assurance that current or future laws, regulations 
and administrative requirements will not materially adversely 
affect Air Canada, its business, results from operations and 
financial condition.

Terrorist attacks and security measures – Terrorist 
attacks and related consequences could have a material adverse 
effect on Air Canada, its business, results from operations and 
financial condition. 

The potential for terrorist attacks and terrorist activity causes 
concern and uncertainty in the minds of the travelling public. 
The occurrence of a terrorist attack, an attempted attack or the 
perceived threat of one (whether or not involving Air Canada or 
another carrier, or involving Air Canada’s destinations, or other 
destinations or regions) and restrictive security measures, such 
as those relating to the content of carry-on baggage, passenger 
identification document requirements and passenger screening 
procedures, could have a material adverse effect on passenger 
demand for air travel and on the number of passengers travelling 
on Air Canada’s flights. It could also lead to a substantial increase 
in insurance, security and other costs. Any resulting reduction in 
revenues and/or increases in costs could have a material adverse 
effect on Air Canada, its business, results from operations and 
financial condition.

Aeroplan loyalty program – Loss of redemption or accrual 
partners, changes to accrual or redemption settlement rates, 
increased redemption rates of loyalty points, or disruptions or 
other interruptions of services affecting the Aeroplan loyalty 
program could have a material adverse effect on Air Canada, its 
business, results from operations and financial condition 

Air Canada offers its customers who are Aeroplan Members the 
opportunity to earn Aeroplan points, which management believes 
is a significant factor in many customers’ decision to travel with 
Air Canada and contributes to building customer loyalty. The 
success of the Aeroplan program is dependent on attracting new 
and retaining current members and on maintaining sufficient 
accumulation and redemption partners. Increases in redemption 
rates for outstanding Aeroplan points, failures to adequately 
operate the Aeroplan program, reductions in the prevailing 
interchange rates in Canada, or interruptions or disruptions 
of Aeroplan program services, could have a material adverse 
effect on Air Canada, its business, results from operations and 
financial condition.

Casualty losses – Air Canada’s business makes it subject to 
large liability claims for serious personal injury or death arising 
out of accidents or disasters. 

Due to the nature of its core business, Air Canada may be 
subject to liability claims arising out of accidents or disasters 
involving aircraft on which Air Canada’s customers are travelling 
or involving aircraft of other carriers maintained or otherwise 
serviced by Air Canada or through third parties providing 
services to Air Canada, including claims for serious personal 
injury or death. Any such accident or disaster may significantly 
harm Air Canada’s reputation for safety, which would have a 
material adverse effect on Air Canada, its business, results from 
operations and financial condition. There can be no assurance that 
Air Canada’s insurance coverage will be sufficient to cover one or 
more large claims and any shortfall may be material.

Accidents and disasters may occur despite all appropriate 
measures being taken, and as a result of a variety of factors 
beyond Air Canada’s control including acts of terrorism and 
sabotage, security breaches, equipment failures, human error, 
severe weather, lightning strikes and other natural phenomenon, 
bird strikes as well as the increasing prevalence of unmanned 
aerial vehicles.

Star Alliance and Joint Ventures – Departure of a key 
member from Star Alliance or the failure by a key member to 
meet its obligations, including under joint ventures arrangements, 
could have a material adverse effect on Air Canada, its business, 
results from operations and financial condition. 

The strategic and commercial arrangements with Star Alliance 
and other airlines, including Lufthansa AG, United Airlines, Air 
China and Emirates, provide Air Canada with important benefits, 
including codesharing, efficient connections and transfers, 
reciprocal participation in frequent flyer programs and use of 
airport lounges from the other members. Should a key member 
leave Star Alliance or should a Star Alliance or other airlines 
fail to meet its obligations toward Air Canada, Air Canada, its 
business, results from operations and financial condition could be 
materially adversely affected.

Air Canada’s brand – The failure to preserve or grow the 
value of Air Canada’s brand could have a material adverse 
effect on Air Canada, its business, results from operations and 
financial condition. 

Air Canada believes that its success is dependent on the value 
of its brand and on Air Canada’s ability to preserve, grow 
and leverage that value. The Air Canada brand is recognized 
throughout the world, and Air Canada has received high ratings 
in external brand value studies, based in part on consumer 
perceptions on a variety of subjective qualities. Air Canada 
believes it has and continues to build an excellent reputation 
globally for the safety and quality of its services, and for 
the delivery of a consistently positive passenger experience. 
Air Canada’s reputation and brand could be damaged if they 
are exposed to significant adverse publicity including through 

|   77

ANNUAL REPORT 2023social media. Adverse publicity, whether justified or not, can 
rapidly spread through social or digital media. To the extent we 
are subject to, or unable to respond timely and appropriately to 
adverse publicity, our brand and reputation may be damaged. Any 
failure to preserve or grow Air Canada’s brand, including by reason 
of the conduct of Air Canada or any of its business partners, 
suppliers or other third parties, could have a material adverse 
effect on Air Canada, its business, results from operations and 
financial condition.

Legal proceedings – Air Canada may be subject to legal 
proceedings which could have a material adverse impact. 

In the course of conducting its business, Air Canada is subject 
to various claims and litigation (including class action claims), 
including with respect to its contractual arrangements and 
current or future laws and regulations. Any future claims or 
litigation could have a material adverse effect on Air Canada, its 
business, results from operations and financial condition.

Foreign exchange – A significant deterioration of the 
Canadian dollar relative to the U.S. dollar could have a material 
adverse effect on Air Canada, its business, results from operations 
and financial condition.

Air Canada’s financial results are sensitive to the fluctuating 
value of the Canadian dollar. Air Canada incurs significant 
expenses in U.S. dollars for items such as fuel, aircraft purchases, 
aircraft leasing and maintenance, airport charges, ground 
package costs, sales and distribution costs, interest and debt 
servicing payments, while a substantial portion of its revenues 
are generated in Canadian dollars. In addition, Air Canada may 
not be able to sufficiently, or may not, hedge the risk associated 
with fluctuations in exchange rates. A significant deterioration 
of the Canadian dollar relative to the U.S. dollar or other foreign 
currencies would increase the costs of Air Canada relative to its 
U.S. or other foreign competitors. Any of these factors could have 
a material adverse effect on Air Canada, its business, results from 
operations and financial condition.

Limitations due to restrictive covenants – Covenants 
in agreements that Air Canada has entered into or may enter 
into may affect or limit the manner in which Air Canada operates 
its business. 

Some of the financing and other major agreements to which 
Air Canada is a party contain, and in the future may contain, 
restrictive, financial (including in relation to asset valuations, 
liquidity, fixed charge coverage ratio) and other covenants that 
affect and, in some cases, significantly limit or prohibit, among 
other things, the manner in which Air Canada may structure or 
operate its business, including by reducing Air Canada’s liquidity, 
limiting Air Canada’s ability to incur indebtedness, create liens, 
sell assets, pay dividends, make capital expenditures, and engage 
in acquisitions, mergers or restructurings or a change of control. 
Future financing and other significant agreements may be 
subject to similar or stricter covenants that limit Air Canada’s 
operating and financial flexibility, which could materially and 

78   |

adversely affect Air Canada’s ability to operate its business and 
its profitability.

A failure by Air Canada to comply with its contractual obligations 
(including restrictive, financial and other covenants) or to pay 
its indebtedness and fixed costs could result in a variety of 
material adverse consequences, including the acceleration of 
its indebtedness, the withholding of credit card proceeds by the 
credit card service providers and the exercise of remedies by 
its creditors, lessors or other co-contracting parties, including 
the foreclosure of Air Canada assets that secure obligations 
under secured financing agreements. Defaults could also trigger 
additional defaults under other indebtedness or agreements. 
In such a situation, Air Canada may not be able to repay the 
accelerated indebtedness or fulfill its obligations under certain 
contracts, make required aircraft lease payments or otherwise 
cover its fixed costs.

Availability of insurance coverage and increased 
insurance costs – Increases in insurance costs or reduction 
in insurance coverage could have a material adverse effect 
on Air Canada, its business, results from operations and 
financial condition. 

The insurance industry in general, including the aviation 
insurance industry, has been experiencing increasing losses 
and decreased insurer profitability in recent years, resulting in 
reduced capacity levels and premium increases. These conditions 
may adversely affect some of Air Canada’s existing insurance 
carriers or Air Canada’s ability to obtain future insurance coverage 
(including war risk insurance coverage), including desired levels 
of coverage or on terms acceptable to Air Canada. To the extent 
that Air Canada’s existing insurance carriers are unable or 
unwilling to provide required coverage (and in the absence of 
measures by the Government of Canada to provide the required 
coverage), Air Canada’s insurance costs may increase further 
and may result in Air Canada being in breach of regulatory 
requirements or contractual arrangements requiring that specific 
insurance be maintained, which could have a material adverse 
effect on Air Canada, its business, results from operations and 
financial condition.

Pension plans – Failure or inability by Air Canada to make 
required cash contributions to its pension plans could have a 
material adverse effect on Air Canada, its business, results from 
operations and financial condition. 

Air Canada maintains several defined benefit pension plans, 
including domestic registered pension plans and supplemental 
pension plans.

Canadian federal pension legislation requires that the funded 
status of defined benefit registered pension plans be determined 
periodically, on both a going concern basis (essentially assuming 
indefinite plan continuation) and a solvency basis (essentially 
assuming immediate plan termination). Canadian federal 
pension legislation prescribes the minimum contributions that 
plan sponsors must make to their defined benefit registered 
pension plans. Current service contributions are required to be 

ANNUAL REPORT 2023paid monthly, except to the extent they are funded through 
the surplus in such plan (subject to applicable plan rules and 
legislation). Air Canada’s pension funding obligations (including 
projected funding obligations) may vary significantly based on 
a wide variety of factors, including the plan’s solvency financial 
position, regulatory developments, plan demographics, changes 
to plan provisions, the success of its pension asset investment 
strategies, assumptions and methods used and changes in 
economic conditions (mainly the return on fund assets and 
changes in interest rates) and other factors. Air Canada has taken 
significant steps to reduce its pension plan risk, and its domestic 
defined benefit registered pension plans are in a surplus position, 
but there can be no assurance that such a risk will not materialize 
and adversely impact Air Canada’s ability to meet its funding 
obligations, which in turn could have a material adverse effect 
on Air Canada, its business, results from operations and financial 
condition. See section 8.6 “Pension Funding Obligations” of this 
MD&A for additional information. 

|   79

ANNUAL REPORT 2023Management’s Report on Internal Controls 
over Financial Reporting
Management, under the supervision of and with the participation 
of Air Canada’s CEO and CFO, evaluated the effectiveness of 
Air Canada’s internal controls over financial reporting (as defined 
under National Instrument 52-109). In making this evaluation, 
management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of 
Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commissions (COSO) 
in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013). Based on that 
evaluation, management and the CEO and CFO have concluded 
that, as at December 31, 2023, Air Canada’s internal controls 
over financial reporting were effective. This evaluation took into 
consideration Air Canada’s Corporate Disclosure Policy and the 
functioning of its Disclosure Policy Committee.  

Changes in Internal Controls over Financial 
Reporting
There have been no changes to Air Canada’s internal controls over 
financial reporting during 2023 that have materially affected, or 
are reasonably likely to materially affect, its internal controls over 
financial reporting.  

19

Controls and Procedures

Disclosure Controls and Procedures and 
Internal Controls over Financial Reporting
Disclosure controls and procedures within Air Canada have 
been designed to provide reasonable assurance that all relevant 
information is identified to its President and Chief Executive 
Officer (CEO) and its Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and its 
Disclosure Policy Committee to ensure appropriate and timely 
decisions are made regarding public disclosure. 

Internal controls over financial reporting have been designed by 
management, under the supervision of, and with the participation 
of Air Canada’s CEO and CFO, to provide reasonable assurance 
regarding the reliability of Air Canada’s financial reporting and 
its preparation of financial statements for external purposes in 
accordance with GAAP. 

Air Canada will file certifications, signed by its CEO and CFO, 
with the Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA) upon filing 
of Air Canada’s Annual Information Form. In those filings, 
Air Canada’s CEO and CFO will certify, as required by National 
Instrument 52-109, the appropriateness of the financial 
disclosure, the design and effectiveness of Air Canada’s disclosure 
controls and procedures and the design and effectiveness of 
internal controls over financial reporting. Air Canada’s CEO and 
CFO also certify the appropriateness of the financial disclosures 
in Air Canada’s interim filings with securities regulators. In those 
interim filings, Air Canada’s CEO and CFO also certify the design 
of Air Canada’s disclosure controls and procedures and the design 
of internal controls over financial reporting.

Air Canada’s Audit, Finance and Risk Committee reviewed this 
MD&A and the audited consolidated financial statements, and 
Air Canada’s Board of Directors approved these documents prior 
to their release.

Management’s Report on Disclosure Controls 
and Procedures
Management, under the supervision of and with the participation 
of Air Canada’s CEO and CFO, evaluated the effectiveness of 
Air Canada’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined 
under National Instrument 52-109) and concluded, as at 
December 31, 2023, that such disclosure controls and procedures 
were effective.

80   |

ANNUAL REPORT 202320

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Below is a description of certain non-GAAP financial measures and ratios used by Air Canada to provide readers with additional 
information on its financial and operating performance. Such measures are not recognized measures for financial statement 
presentation under GAAP, do not have standardized meanings, may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other entities 
and should not be considered a substitute for or superior to GAAP results.

Adjusted CASM 
Air Canada uses adjusted CASM to assess the operating and cost performance of its ongoing airline business without the effects of 
aircraft fuel expense, the cost of ground packages at Air Canada Vacations, impairment of assets and freighter costs as these items 
may distort the analysis of certain business trends and render comparative analysis across periods less meaningful and their exclusion 
generally allows for a more meaningful analysis of Air Canada’s operating expense performance and a more meaningful comparison to 
that of other airlines.

In calculating adjusted CASM, aircraft fuel expense is excluded from operating expense results as it fluctuates widely depending on 
many factors, including international market conditions, geopolitical events, jet fuel refining costs and Canada/U.S. currency exchange 
rates. Air Canada also incurs expenses related to ground packages at Air Canada Vacations which some airlines, without comparable 
tour operator businesses, may not incur. In addition, these costs do not generate ASMs and therefore excluding these costs from 
operating expense results provides for a more meaningful comparison across periods when such costs may vary.

Air Canada also incurs expenses related to the operation of freighter aircraft which some airlines, without comparable cargo businesses, 
may not incur. Air Canada had seven Boeing 767 dedicated freighter aircraft in its operating fleet as at December 31, 2023, compared 
to three Boeing 767 dedicated freighter aircraft in service as at December 31, 2022. These costs do not generate ASMs and therefore 
excluding these costs from operating expense results provides for a more meaningful comparison of the passenger airline business 
across periods.

Adjusted CASM is reconciled to GAAP operating expense as follows:

(Canadian dollars in millions, except where indicated)

2023

2022

Change

2023

2022

Change

Operating expense – GAAP

$ 5,096

$ 4,708 $

388 $ 19,554 $ 16,743

$ 2,811

Fourth Quarter

Full Year

Adjusted for:

Aircraft fuel

Ground package costs

Impairment of assets

Freighter costs (excluding fuel)

(1,391)

(1,459)

68

  (5,318)

  (5,276)

(177)

-

(46)

(163)

-

(27)

(14)

-

(19)

(720)

-

(157)

(474)

(4)

(86)

(42)

(246)

4

(71)

Operating expense, adjusted for the above-noted items

$ 3,482

$ 3,059

$

423

  13,359

  10,903

  2,456

ASMs (millions)

Adjusted CASM (cents)

  24,439

  22,368

9.3%   99,012

  82,558

  19.9%

¢ 14.25

¢ 13.68 ¢

0.57

¢ 13.49

¢ 13.21

¢

0.28

EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA
EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) is commonly used in the airline industry and is used by 
Air Canada as a means to view operating results before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization as these costs can vary 
significantly among airlines due to differences in the way airlines finance their aircraft and other assets. In adjusted EBITDA, Air Canada 
excludes the effect of impairment of assets as it may distort the analysis of certain business trends and render comparative analysis 
across periods or to other airlines less meaningful. 

|   81

ANNUAL REPORT 2023 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Adjusted EBITDA Margin
Adjusted EBITDA margin (adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of operating revenues) is commonly used in the airline industry and is used 
by Air Canada as a means to measure the operating margin before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization as these costs can 
vary significantly among airlines due to differences in the way airlines finance their aircraft and other assets. Further, the effects of 
impairment of assets are also removed in computing adjusted EBITDA margin as it may distort the analysis of certain business trends 
and render comparative analysis across periods or to other airlines less meaningful.

EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA margin are reconciled to GAAP operating income (loss) as follows:

(Canadian dollars in millions, except where indicated)

2023

2022

Change

2023

2022

Change

Operating income (loss) – GAAP

$

79

$

(28)

$

107

$ 2,279

$ (187)

$ 2,466

Fourth Quarter

Full Year

Add back:

Depreciation and amortization

442

417

25

1,703

1,640

63

EBITDA

Remove: 

Impairment of assets

Adjusted EBITDA

Operating revenues

Operating margin (%)

Adjusted EBITDA margin (%)

$

521

$

389

$

132

$ 3,982

$ 1,453

$ 2,529

-

-

-

-

4

(4)

$

521

$

389

$

132

$ 3,982

$ 1,457

$ 2,525

$ 5,175

$ 4,680 $

495

$ 21,833

$ 16,556

$ 5,277

1.5

10.1

(0.6)

  2.1 pp

8.3

1.8 pp

10.4

18.2

(1.1)

  11.5 pp

8.8

  9.4 pp

Adjusted Pre-tax Income (Loss)
Adjusted pre-tax income (loss) is used by Air Canada to assess the overall pre-tax financial performance of its business without the 
effects of impairment of assets, foreign exchange gains or losses, net interest relating to employee benefits, gains or losses on financial 
instruments recorded at fair value, gains or losses on sale and leaseback of assets, gains or losses on disposal of assets, gains or losses on 
debt settlements and modifications, as these items may distort the analysis of certain business trends and render comparative analysis 
across periods or to other airlines less meaningful.

Adjusted pre-tax income (loss) is reconciled to GAAP income (loss) before income taxes as follows:

(Canadian dollars in millions)

2023

2022

$ Change

2023

2022

$ Change

Income (loss) before income taxes – GAAP

$

122

$

146

$

(24)

$ 2,212  $ (1,524)

$ 3,736

Fourth Quarter

Full Year

Adjusted for:

Impairment of assets

Foreign exchange (gain) loss

Net interest relating to employee benefits

Gain on financial instruments recorded at fair value

Loss on debt settlements and modifications

Gain on disposal of assets

Adjusted pre-tax income (loss)

-

(72)

(7)

(91)

1

-

-

(316)

(7)

(44)

31

(21)

-

244

-

(47)

(30)

21

-

(389)

(25)

(115)

10

-

4

732

(24)

(133)

14

(21)

(4)

(1,121)

(1)

18

(4)

21

$

(47)

$

(211)

$

164 $ 1,693

$ (952)

$ 2,645

82   |

ANNUAL REPORT 2023 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Adjusted Net Income (loss) and Adjusted Earnings (Loss) per Share – Diluted
Air Canada uses adjusted net income (loss) and adjusted earnings (loss) per share – diluted as a means to assess the overall financial 
performance of its business without the after-tax effects of impairment of assets, foreign exchange gains or losses, net financing 
expense relating to employee benefits, gains or losses on financial instruments recorded at fair value, gains or losses on sale and 
leaseback of assets, gains or losses on debt settlements and modifications, gains or losses on disposal of assets as these items may 
distort the analysis of certain business trends and render comparative analysis to other airlines less meaningful.

Adjusted net income (loss) and adjusted earnings (loss) per share are reconciled to GAAP net income as follows:

(Canadian dollars in millions)

Net income (loss) – GAAP

Adjusted for:

Impairment of assets

Foreign exchange (gain) loss

Net interest relating to employee benefits

Gain on financial instruments recorded at fair value

Loss on debt settlements and modifications

Gain on disposal of assets

Income tax, including for the above reconciling items (1)

Fourth Quarter

Full Year

2023

2022

$ Change

2023

2022

$ Change

$

184

$

168

$

16

$ 2,276

$  (1,700)

$ 3,976

-

(72)

(7)

(91)

1

-

(59)

-

(316)

(7)

(44)

31

(21)

(28)

-

244

-

(47)

(30)

21

(31)

173

-

(389)

(25)

(115)

10

-

(44)

4

732

(24)

(133)

14

(21)

140

(4)

(1,121)

(1)

18

(4)

21

(184)

$ 1,713

$ (988)

$ 2,701

Adjusted net income (loss)

$

(44)

$

(217)

$

Weighted average number of outstanding shares used in 
computing diluted income per share (in millions)

358

358

-

376

358

18

Adjusted earnings (loss) per share – diluted

$ (0.12)

$ (0.61)

$

0.49

$

4.56

$ (2.76)

$

7.32

(1)  In 2023, the deferred income tax expense recorded in other comprehensive income related to remeasurements on employee benefit liabilities is offset by a deferred income tax recovery which was 

recorded through Air Canada’s consolidated statement of operations. This recovery is removed from adjusted net income for the year 2023. In comparison, a deferred income tax expense was removed 
from adjusted net loss for the year 2022.

The table below reflects the share amounts used in the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share on an adjusted earnings per 
share basis.

(In millions)

Weighted average number of shares outstanding – basic

Effect of dilution

Weighted average number of shares outstanding – diluted

Fourth Quarter

Full Year

2023

2022

2023

2022

358

-

358

358

-

358

358

18

376

358

-

358

|   83

ANNUAL REPORT 2023 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Free Cash Flow
Air Canada uses free cash flow as an indicator of the financial strength and performance of its business, indicating the amount of cash 
Air Canada can generate from operations and after capital expenditures. Free cash flow is calculated as net cash flows from operating 
activities minus additions to property, equipment, and intangible assets, and is net of proceeds from sale and leaseback transactions. 
Refer to section 8.4 “Cash Flow Movements” of this MD&A for a reconciliation of this non-GAAP financial measure to the nearest 
measure under GAAP.

Net Debt
Net debt is a capital management measure and a key component of the capital managed by Air Canada and provides management with 
a measure of its net indebtedness. Refer to section 8.2 “Net Debt” of this MD&A for a reconciliation of this non-GAAP measure to the 
nearest measure under GAAP.

84   |

ANNUAL REPORT 202321

Glossary

Adjusted CASM – Refers to operating expense per ASM that 
is adjusted to remove the effects of aircraft fuel expense, ground 
packages costs at Air Canada Vacations, impairment of assets and 
freighter costs. Adjusted CASM is a non-GAAP financial measure. 
Refer to section 20 “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” of this 
MD&A for additional information. 

Adjusted EBITDA – Refers to earnings before interest, taxes, 
depreciation and amortization, excluding impairment of assets. 
Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure. Refer to 
section 20 “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” of this MD&A for 
additional information. 

Adjusted EBITDA margin – Refers to adjusted EBITDA as a 
percentage of operating revenue. Refer to section 20 “Non-GAAP 
Financial Measures” of this MD&A for additional information.

Adjusted net income (loss) – Refers to the consolidated 
net income (loss) of Air Canada, adjusted to remove the after-tax 
effects of impairment of assets, foreign exchange gains or losses, 
net interest relating to employee benefits, gains or losses on 
financial instruments recorded at fair value, gains or losses on the 
sale and leaseback of assets, gains or losses on debt settlements 
and modifications, and gains or losses on disposal of assets. 
Adjusted net income (loss) is a non-GAAP financial measure. Refer 
to section 20 “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” of this MD&A for 
additional information.

Adjusted pre-tax income (loss) – Refers to the 
consolidated income (loss) of Air Canada before income taxes 
and adjusted to remove the effects of impairment of assets, 
foreign exchange gains or losses, net interest relating to employee 
benefits, gains or losses on financial instruments recorded at fair 
value, gains or losses on the sale and leaseback of assets, gains 
or losses on debt settlements and modifications, and gains or 
losses on disposal of assets. Adjusted pre-tax income (loss) is a 
non-GAAP financial measure. Refer to section 20 “Non-GAAP 
Financial Measures” of this MD&A for additional information. 

Aeroplan – Refers to Aeroplan Inc.

Atlantic – When used in reference to airline operations, refers 
to operations and revenues from flights that cross the Atlantic 
Ocean with origins and destinations principally in Europe, India, 
the Middle East and North Africa.

Available seat miles or ASMs – Refers to a measure of 
passenger capacity calculated by multiplying the total number of 
seats available for passengers by the miles flown.

Average stage length – Refers to the average mile per 
departure seat and is calculated by dividing total ASMs by total 
seats dispatched. 

CASM – Refers to operating expense per ASM.

Domestic – When used in reference to airline operations, refers 
to operations and revenues from flights within Canada.

Free cash flow – Refers to net cash flows from operating 
activities minus additions to property, equipment, and 
intangible assets, and is net of proceeds from sale and leaseback 
transactions. Free cash flow is a non-GAAP financial measure. 
Refer to sections 8.4 “Cash Flow Movements” and 20 “Non-GAAP 
Financial Measures” of this MD&A for additional information.

Jazz – Refers to Jazz Aviation LP.

Leverage ratio – Also known as net debt to adjusted EBITDA 
ratio. Refers to the ratio of net debt to trailing 12-month adjusted 
EBITDA (calculated by dividing net debt by trailing 12-month 
adjusted EBITDA). Leverage ratio is a non-GAAP financial 
measure. Refer to sections 8.2 “Net Debt” and 20 “Non-GAAP 
Financial Measures” of this MD&A for additional information. 

Net debt – Refers to total long-term debt liabilities (including 
current portion) less cash, cash equivalents. and short- and long-
term investments. Refer to section 8.2 “Net Debt” of this MD&A 
for a reconciliation of this capital management measure to the 
nearest measure under GAAP.

Other – When used in reference to airline operations, refers to 
operations and revenues from flights with origins and destinations 
principally in central and South America, the Caribbean and 
Mexico.

Pacific – When used in reference to airline operations, refers to 
operations and revenues from flights that cross the Pacific Ocean 
with origins and destinations principally in Asia and Australia. 

Passenger load factor – Refers to a measure of passenger 
capacity utilization derived by expressing Revenue Passenger 
Miles as a percentage of ASMs.

Passenger revenue per available seat mile or 
PRASM – Refers to average passenger revenue per ASM.

Percentage point (pp) – Refers to a measure for the 
arithmetic difference of two percentages.

Revenue passenger carried – Refers to the International Air 
Transport Association’s definition of passenger carried whereby 
passengers are counted on a flight number basis rather than by 
journey/itinerary or by leg. 

|   85

ANNUAL REPORT 2023Revenue passenger miles or RPMs – Refers to a measure 
of passenger traffic calculated by multiplying the total number of 
revenue passengers carried by the miles they are carried.

Seats dispatched – Refers to the number of seats on non-stop 
flights. A non-stop flight refers to a single takeoff and landing.

U.S. Transborder – When used in reference to airline 
operations, refers to operations and revenues from flights 
between Canada and the United States.

Yield – Refers to average passenger revenue per RPM.

86   |

ANNUAL REPORT 20232023

Consolidated Financial 
Statements and Notes

February 16, 2024

Statement of Management’s Responsibility  
for Financial Reporting
The consolidated financial statements have been prepared by management. Management is responsible for the fair 
presentation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles 
in Canada which incorporates International Financial Reporting Standards, as issued by the International Accounting 
Standards Board (“IFRS Accounting Standards”). Management is responsible for the selection of accounting policies 
and making significant accounting judgments and estimates. Management is also responsible for all other financial 
information included in management’s discussion and analysis and for ensuring that this information is consistent, 
where appropriate, with the information contained in the consolidated financial statements.

Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting which 
includes those policies and procedures that provide reasonable assurance over the safeguarding of assets and over 
the completeness, fairness and accuracy of the consolidated financial statements and other financial information.

The Audit, Finance and Risk Committee, which is comprised entirely of independent directors, reviews the quality 
and integrity of the Corporation’s financial reporting and provides its recommendations in respect of the approval of 
the financial statements to the Board of Directors; oversees management’s responsibilities as to the adequacy of the 
supporting systems of internal controls; provides oversight of the independence, qualifications and appointment of 
the external auditor; and pre-approves audit, audit-related, and non-audit fees and expenses. The Board of Directors 
approves the Corporation’s consolidated financial statements and management’s discussion and analysis disclosures 
prior to their release. The Audit, Finance and Risk Committee meets with management, the internal auditors and 
external auditors at least four times each year to review and discuss financial reporting, disclosures, auditing and 
other matters.

The external auditor, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, conduct an independent audit of the consolidated financial 
statements in accordance with Canadian generally accepted auditing standards and express their opinion thereon. 
Those standards require that the audit is planned and performed to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the 
consolidated financial statements as a whole are free of material misstatement. The external auditors have unlimited 
access to the Audit, Finance and Risk Committee and meet with the Committee on a regular basis.

Michael Rousseau

John Di Bert

President and Chief Executive Officer

Executive Vice President and  
Chief Financial Officer

February 15, 2024

88   |

ANNUAL REPORT 2023 
Independent auditor’s report
To the Shareholders of Air Canada

Our opinion
In our opinion, the accompanying consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the 
financial position of Air Canada and its subsidiaries (together, the Corporation) as at December 31, 2023 and 2022, 
and its financial performance and its cash flows for the years then ended in accordance with International Financial 
Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IFRS Accounting Standards).

What we have audited

The Corporation’s consolidated financial statements comprise:

•  the consolidated statements of financial position as at December 31, 2023 and 2022;

•  the consolidated statements of operations for the years then ended;

•  the consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss) for the years then ended;

•  the consolidated statements of changes in equity (deficiency) for the years then ended;

•  the consolidated statements of cash flow for the years then ended; and

•  the notes to the consolidated financial statements, comprising material accounting policy information and 

other explanatory information.

Basis for opinion
We conducted our audit in accordance with Canadian generally accepted auditing standards. Our responsibilities 
under those standards are further described in the Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the consolidated financial 
statements section of our report.

We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

Independence

We are independent of the Corporation in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit 
of the consolidated financial statements in Canada. We have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance 
with these requirements.

|   89

ANNUAL REPORT 2023Key audit matters
Key audit matters are those matters that, in our professional judgment, were of most significance in our audit of the consolidated 
financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2023. These matters were addressed in the context of our audit of the 
consolidated financial statements as a whole, and in forming our opinion thereon, and we do not provide a separate opinion on 
these matters.

Key audit matter

How our audit addressed the key audit matter

Passenger and cargo revenue recognition

Refer to note 2 – Basis of presentation and summary of material 
accounting policies and note 19 – Revenue to the consolidated 
financial statements.

Passenger and cargo revenues are recognized when the 
transportation is provided. Total passenger and cargo revenues 
recognized for the year ended December 31, 2023 amounted 
to $19,403 million and $924 million, respectively.

Such transactions rely on multiple Information Technology (IT) 
systems and controls to process, record, and recognize a 
high volume of low value revenue transactions through a 
combination of IT systems and outsourced service providers.

We considered this a key audit matter due to the significance 
of passenger and cargo revenues and the volume of these 
transactions resulting in significant audit effort to test the 
revenue recognized.

Our approach to addressing the matter included the following 
procedures, among others:

•  Tested the operating effectiveness of internal controls and 
performed substantive testing on certain aspects related to 
passenger and cargo revenue recognition, which included 
the following:

 — Tested the controls and performed certain substantive 

procedures over the relevant IT systems that 
management used to recognize passenger and cargo 
revenues.

 — For the IT systems or processes that are outsourced to 
third party service providers, assessed the assurance 
reports attesting to the appropriateness and 
effectiveness of the internal control systems established 
by the service providers.

•  Tested a sample of passenger and cargo revenue 

transactions recorded during the year by inspecting the 
consideration received and the evidence of when the 
transportation was provided for passengers or cargo.

90   |

ANNUAL REPORT 2023Key audit matter

How our audit addressed the key audit matter

Measurement of the total benefit obligations

Refer to note 2 – Basis of presentation and summary of 
material accounting policies, note 3 – Critical accounting 
estimates and judgments, and note 9 – Pensions and other 
benefit liabilities to the consolidated financial statements.

The Corporation has net benefit assets of $648 million, 
which include total benefit obligations associated with 
pension benefit obligations of $18,309 million and other 
employee future benefit obligations of $1,098 million as 
at December 31, 2023.

The total benefit obligations associated with pension 
benefit obligations and other employee future benefit 
obligations are actuarially determined annually as at 
December 31 and are prepared by the Corporation’s 
consulting actuaries (management’s experts). The total 
benefit obligations are determined using the projected 
unit credit method. Management applied significant 
judgment in determining the discount rates and mortality 
assumptions to develop the estimates for the total 
benefit obligations.

We considered this a key audit matter due to the 
significance of the total benefit obligations and 
the significant judgment made by management, including 
the use of management’s experts, in determining the 
discount rates and mortality assumptions, which resulted 
in a high degree of auditor judgment and subjectivity in 
performing procedures related to those assumptions. 

The audit effort involved the use of professionals 
with specialized skill and knowledge in the field 
of actuarial services.

Our approach to addressing the matter included 
the following procedures, among others:

•  Tested how management developed the estimates 
for the total benefit obligations which included the 
following:

 — The work of management’s experts was used 
in performing the procedures to evaluate the 
reasonableness of the total benefit obligations 
associated with pension benefit obligations and 
other employee future benefit obligations. As a 
basis for using this work, management’s experts’ 
competence, capabilities and objectivity were 
evaluated, the work performed was understood 
and the appropriateness of the work as audit 
evidence was evaluated. The procedures 
performed also included evaluating the methods 
and assumptions used by management’s experts, 
testing the data used by management’s experts 
and evaluating their findings.

 — Professionals with specialized skill and knowledge 

in the field of actuarial services assisted in 
evaluating the appropriateness of the projected 
unit credit method and the reasonableness of the 
discount rates and mortality assumptions.
•  Tested the disclosures, including the sensitivity 
analysis, made in the consolidated financial 
statements with regard to the measurement of the 
pension benefit obligations and other employee future 
benefit obligations.

|   91

ANNUAL REPORT 2023Other information
Management is responsible for the other information. The other information comprises the Management’s Discussion and Analysis, 
which we obtained prior to the date of this auditor’s report and the information, other than the consolidated financial statements and 
our auditor’s report thereon, included in the annual report, which is expected to be made available to us after that date.

Our opinion on the consolidated financial statements does not cover the other information and we do not and will not express any form 
of assurance conclusion thereon.

In connection with our audit of the consolidated financial statements, our responsibility is to read the other information identified 
above and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the consolidated financial statements or 
our knowledge obtained in the audit, or otherwise appears to be materially misstated.

If, based on the work we have performed on the other information that we obtained prior to the date of this auditor’s report, we 
conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact. We have nothing to report 
in this regard. When we read the information, other than the consolidated financial statements and our auditor’s report thereon, 
included in the annual report, if we conclude that there is a material misstatement therein, we are required to communicate the matter 
to those charged with governance.

Responsibilities of management and those charged with governance for the consolidated 
financial statements
Management is responsible for the preparation and fair presentation of the consolidated financial statements in accordance with IFRS 
Accounting Standards, and for such internal control as management determines is necessary to enable the preparation of consolidated 
financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

In preparing the consolidated financial statements, management is responsible for assessing the Corporation’s ability to continue as 
a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless 
management either intends to liquidate the Corporation or to cease operations, or has no realistic alternative but to do so.

Those charged with governance are responsible for overseeing the Corporation’s financial reporting process.

Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the consolidated financial statements
Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements as a whole are free from 
material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor’s report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance 
is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with Canadian generally accepted auditing 
standards will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered 
material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the 
basis of these consolidated financial statements.

As part of an audit in accordance with Canadian generally accepted auditing standards, we exercise professional judgment and maintain 
professional skepticism throughout the audit. We also:

•  Identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to fraud or error, design 
and perform audit procedures responsive to those risks, and obtain audit evidence that is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis 
for our opinion. The risk of not detecting a material misstatement resulting from fraud is higher than for one resulting from error, as 
fraud may involve collusion, forgery, intentional omissions, misrepresentations, or the override of internal control.

•  Obtain an understanding of internal control relevant to the audit in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the 

circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Corporation’s internal control.

•  Evaluate the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of accounting estimates and related disclosures 

made by management.

•  Conclude on the appropriateness of management’s use of the going concern basis of accounting and, based on the audit evidence 

obtained, whether a material uncertainty exists related to events or conditions that may cast significant doubt on the Corporation’s 
ability to continue as a going concern. If we conclude that a material uncertainty exists, we are required to draw attention in our 
auditor’s report to the related disclosures in the consolidated financial statements or, if such disclosures are inadequate, to modify 
our opinion. Our conclusions are based on the audit evidence obtained up to the date of our auditor’s report. However, future events 
or conditions may cause the Corporation to cease to continue as a going concern.

92   |

ANNUAL REPORT 2023•  Evaluate the overall presentation, structure and content of the consolidated financial statements, including the disclosures, and 
whether the consolidated financial statements represent the underlying transactions and events in a manner that achieves fair 
presentation.

•  Obtain sufficient appropriate audit evidence regarding the financial information of the entities or business activities within the 

Corporation to express an opinion on the consolidated financial statements. We are responsible for the direction, supervision and 
performance of the group audit. We remain solely responsible for our audit opinion.

We communicate with those charged with governance regarding, among other matters, the planned scope and timing of the audit and 
significant audit findings, including any significant deficiencies in internal control that we identify during our audit. 

We also provide those charged with governance with a statement that we have complied with relevant ethical requirements regarding 
independence, and to communicate with them all relationships and other matters that may reasonably be thought to bear on our 
independence, and where applicable, related safeguards.

From the matters communicated with those charged with governance, we determine those matters that were of most significance in 
the audit of the consolidated financial statements of the current period and are therefore the key audit matters. We describe these 
matters in our auditor’s report unless law or regulation precludes public disclosure about the matter or when, in extremely rare 
circumstances, we determine that a matter should not be communicated in our report because the adverse consequences of doing so 
would reasonably be expected to outweigh the public interest benefits of such communication.

The engagement partner on the audit resulting in this independent auditor’s report is Mario Longpré. 

1)

Montréal, Quebec

February 15, 2024

1)  CPA auditor, public accountancy permit No. A123498

|   93

ANNUAL REPORT 2023 
Consolidated Statements of Financial Position

December 31, 2023 December 31,  2022

(Canadian dollars in millions)

ASSETS
Current

Cash and cash equivalents
Short-term investments

Total cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments

Accounts receivable
Aircraft fuel inventory
Spare parts and supplies inventory
Prepaid expenses and other current assets

Total current assets
Investments, deposits and other assets
Property and equipment
Pension assets
Deferred income tax
Intangible assets
Goodwill
Total assets
LIABILITIES
Current

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
Advance ticket sales
Aeroplan and other deferred revenue
Current portion of long-term debt and lease liabilities

Total current liabilities
Long-term debt and lease liabilities
Aeroplan and other deferred revenue
Pension and other benefit liabilities
Maintenance provisions
Other long-term liabilities
Deferred income tax
Total liabilities
SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIENCY)

Share capital
Contributed surplus
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
Deficit

Total shareholders’ equity (deficiency)
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity (deficiency)

Note 19

Note 2P
Note 19

Note 4
Note 5
Note 9
Note 11
Note 6
Note 7

Note 19
Note 19
Note 8

Note 8
Note 19
Note 9
Note 10

Note 11

Note 12

$

2,817
5,734
8,551
1,121
169
168
251
10,260
1,009
11,933
2,588
50
1,084
3,273
$ 30,197

$

3,328
4,341
1,473
866
10,008
12,996
2,989
1,875
1,227
233
73
$ 29,401

2,744
133
(57)
(2,024)
796
$ 30,197

$

2,693
5,295
7,988
1,037
200
118
322
9,665
1,073
11,950
2,444
48
1,054
3,273
$ 29,507

$

2,691
4,104
1,295
1,263
9,353
15,043
3,160
1,770
1,352
311
73
$ 31,062

2,743
118
(46)
(4,370)
(1,555)
$ 29,507

On behalf of the Board of Directors:

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

Vagn Sørensen  
Chair of the Board of Directors

94   |

Christie J.B. Clark 
Chair of the Audit, Finance and Risk Committee

ANNUAL REPORT 2023 
Consolidated Statements of Operations

For the year ended December 31

(Canadian dollars in millions except per share figures)

2023

2022

Operating revenues

Passenger
Cargo
Other

Total revenues
Operating expenses

Aircraft fuel
Wages, salaries and benefits
Depreciation, amortization, and impairment
Airport and navigation fees
Sales and distribution costs
Capacity purchase fees
Aircraft maintenance
Ground package costs
Communications and information technology
Catering and onboard services
Other

Total operating expenses
Operating income (loss)
Non-operating income (expense)
Foreign exchange gain (loss)
Interest income
Interest expense
Interest capitalized
Financial instruments recorded at fair value
Loss on debt settlements 
Other

Total non-operating expense
Income (loss) before income taxes 
Income tax recovery (expense)

Net income (loss)
Net income (loss) per share

Basic earnings (loss) per share 
Diluted earnings (loss) per share 

Note 19
Note 19

$

Note 9
Note 5

Note 2D
Note 2J

Note 8

Note 16
Note 8

Note 11

Note 14

$

$
$

19,403 
924 
1,506 
21,833 

5,318 
3,955 
1,703 
1,418 
1,097 
858 
1,083 
720 
555 
628 
2,219 
19,554 
2,279 

389 
416 
(944)
14 
115 
(10)
(47)
(67)
2,212 
64 
2,276 

$

14,238
1,266
1,052
16,556

5,276
3,260
1,644
1,213
797
763
706
474
468
425
1,717
16,743
(187)

(732)
168
(909)
13
133
(14)
4
(1,337)
(1,524)
(176)
$ (1,700)

6.35
5.96

$
$

(4.75)
(4.75)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

|   95

ANNUAL REPORT 2023 
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (loss)

For the year ended December 31

(Canadian dollars in millions)

Comprehensive income (loss)

Net income (loss)

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:

Items that will not be reclassified to net income

Remeasurements on net employee benefits

Remeasurements on equity investments

Total comprehensive income (loss)

2023

2022

$ 2,276

$ (1,700)

70

(11)

115

(1)

$ 2,335

$ (1,586)

Note 11

Note 9

Note 4

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity (deficiency)

(Canadian dollars in millions)

January 1, 2022

Net income (loss)

Remeasurements on net employee benefits 

Remeasurements on equity investments

Total comprehensive income (loss)

Share-based compensation

Shares issued (Note 12)

December 31, 2022

Net income (loss)

Remeasurements on net employee benefits 

Remeasurements on equity investments

Total comprehensive income (loss)

Share-based compensation

Shares issued (Note 12)

December 31, 2023

Share capital

Contributed 
surplus

Accumulated 
OCI

 Deficit

Total 
shareholders’ 
equity 
(deficiency)

$

2,735

$

104

$

(45)

$ (2,785)

$

9

–

–

–

–

–

8

$

2,743

$

–

–

–

–

–

1

–

–

–

–

16

(2)

118

–

–

–

–

15

–

–

–

(1)

(1)

–

–

(1,700)

(1,700)

115

–

115

(1)

(1,585)

(1,586)

–

–

16

6

$

(46)

$ (4,370)

$ (1,555)

–

–

(11)

(11)

–

–

2,276

70

–

2,346

–

–

2,276

70

(11)

2,335

15

1

$ 2,744

$

133

$

(57)

$ (2,024)

$

796

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

96   |

ANNUAL REPORT 2023Consolidated Statements of Cash Flow

For the year ended December 31

(Canadian dollars in millions)

Cash flows from (used for)

Operating

Net income (loss)

Adjustments to reconcile to net cash from operations

Deferred income tax

Depreciation, amortization, and impairment

Foreign exchange (gain) loss 

Employee benefit funding less than expense

Financial instruments recorded at fair value

Loss on debt settlements 

Change in maintenance provisions

Changes in non-cash working capital balances

Other

Net cash flows from (used in) operating activities

Financing

Proceeds from borrowings

Repayment of long-term debt and lease liabilities

Issue of shares

Financing fees

Net cash flows from (used in) financing activities

Investing

Investments, short-term and long-term

Additions to property, equipment and intangible assets

Proceeds from sale of assets

Other

Net cash flows from (used in) investing activities

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year

Cash and cash equivalents, end of year

2023

2022

$ 2,276

$ (1,700)

(47)

1,703

(239)

59

(115)

10

56

711

(94)

4,320

129

1,644

735

128

(133)

14

111

1,498

(58)

2,368

84

202

(2,452)

(1,814)

1

(1)

6

(6)

(2,368)

(1,612)

Note 11

Note 5

Note 9 

Note 16

Note 8

Note 8

Note 8

Note 12

Note 8

Note 16

(245)

(959)

(1,564)

(1,572)

9

(27)

36

(3)

(1,827)

(2,498)

(1)

124

2,693

20

(1,722)

4,415

$ 2,817

$ 2,693

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

|   97

ANNUAL REPORT 2023 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1

General Information

For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 
(Canadian dollars except where otherwise indicated)

The accompanying audited consolidated financial statements (the 
“financial statements”) are of Air Canada (the “Corporation”). 
The term Corporation also refers to, as the context may require, 
Air Canada and/or one or more of its subsidiaries, including its 
principal wholly-owned operating subsidiaries, Aeroplan Inc. 
(“Aeroplan”), Touram Limited Partnership doing business under 
the brand name Air Canada Vacations® (“Air Canada Vacations”), 
and Air Canada Rouge LP doing business under the brand name 
Air Canada Rouge® (“Air Canada Rouge”).

Air Canada is incorporated and domiciled in Canada. The address 
of its registered office is 7373 Côte-Vertu Boulevard West, Saint-
Laurent, Quebec.

Air Canada is Canada’s largest domestic, U.S. transborder and 
international airline and the largest provider of scheduled 
passenger services in the Canadian market, the Canada-U.S. 
transborder market as well as the international market to and 
from Canada. Certain of the scheduled passenger services offered 
on domestic and Canada-U.S. transborder routes are operated 
under the brand name “Air Canada Express” by third parties 
including Jazz Aviation LP (“Jazz”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of 
Chorus Aviation Inc. (“Chorus”), through capacity purchase and 
other commercial agreements. Through Air Canada’s global route 
network, virtually every major market throughout the world is 
served either directly or through Star Alliance and other carriers. 
Air Canada also offers air cargo services on domestic and U.S. 
transborder routes as well as on international routes between 
Canada and major markets in Europe, Asia, South America and 
Australia. 

Aeroplan operates a loyalty rewards and recognition program 
that allows individuals to enroll as members and open an 
Aeroplan account, to accumulate Aeroplan Points through 
travel on Air Canada and select partners, as well as  through the 
purchase of products and services from participating partners 
and suppliers, and to redeem Aeroplan Points for a variety of 
travel, merchandise, gift card, and other rewards provided directly 
by participating partners or made available through Aeroplan’s 
intermediary suppliers.

98   |

ANNUAL REPORT 20232

Basis of Presentation and Summary of Material Accounting Policies 

The Corporation prepares its financial statements in accordance 
with generally accepted accounting principles in Canada (“GAAP”) 
as set out in the CPA Canada Handbook – Accounting (“CPA 
Handbook”) which incorporates International Financial Reporting 
Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards 
Board (“IFRS Accounting Standards”). 

These financial statements were approved for issue by the Board 
of Directors of the Corporation on February 15, 2024.

These financial statements are based on the accounting policies 
described below. These policies have been consistently applied to 
all the periods presented. 

Amendments to IAS 1, Presentation of Financial 
Statements  - Disclosure of Accounting Policies

In February 2021, the IASB issued amendments to IAS 1 that 
require entities to disclose material accounting policy information 
instead of significant accounting policies. The amendments are 
effective for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2023. 
The Corporation adopted this amendment effective the 2023 
annual period with no substantial impact on the disclosure of its 
accounting policies.

Certain comparative figures have been reclassified to conform to 
the financial statement presentation adopted for the current year. 

A) Basis of Measurement
These financial statements have been prepared under the 
historical cost convention, except for the revaluation of cash, cash 
equivalents, short-term investments, restricted cash, long-term 
investments, the equity investment in Chorus, and derivative 
instruments which are measured at fair value. 

B) Principles of Consolidation
These financial statements include the accounts of Air Canada 
and its subsidiaries. Subsidiaries are all entities  which Air Canada 
controls. For accounting purposes, control is established by an 
investor when it is exposed to, or has rights to, variable returns 
from its involvement with the entity and has the ability to affect 
those returns through its power over the entity. All inter-company 
balances and transactions are eliminated.

C) Passenger and Cargo Revenues
Passenger and cargo revenues are recognized when the 
transportation is provided, except for revenue on unlimited 
flight passes which is recognized on a straight-line basis over 
the period during which the travel pass is valid. The Corporation 
has formed alliances with other airlines encompassing loyalty 
program participation, interline agreements and code sharing and 
coordination of services including reservations, baggage handling 
and flight schedules. Revenues are allocated based upon formulas 
specified in the agreements and are recognized as transportation 
is provided. Passenger revenue also includes certain fees and 
surcharges and revenues from passenger-related services such 

as seat selection and excess baggage which are recognized when 
transportation is provided. Passenger revenues are reduced 
for any passenger compensation for delayed and cancelled 
flights paid directly to a customer. Airline passenger and cargo 
advance sales are deferred and included in Current liabilities. The 
Corporation records an estimate of breakage revenue, which is 
recorded at the time when transportation was scheduled to be 
provided, for tickets that will expire unused. These estimates are 
based on historical experience and other considerations.

D) Capacity Purchase Agreement
Air Canada enhances its domestic and transborder network 
through commercial agreements with regional carriers, including 
Jazz. Under these agreements, Air Canada markets, tickets and 
enters into other commercial arrangements relating to these 
flights and records the revenue it earns under Passenger revenue 
when transportation is provided. 

Capacity purchase fees are presented as a separate line item in the 
consolidated statement of operations and exclude the component 
of fees related to aircraft costs which are accounted for as lease 
liabilities in accordance with IFRS 16. Pass-through costs, which 
are direct costs incurred by the regional carriers and charged to 
the Corporation and other costs incurred by the Corporation 
which are directly related to regional carrier operations are 
included in the line items to which they relate in the consolidated 
statement of operations. 

E) Aeroplan Loyalty Program
The Aeroplan loyalty program generates customer loyalty by 
rewarding customers who travel with Air Canada. This program 
allows program members to earn Aeroplan Points by flying 
on Air Canada, Star Alliance partners and other airlines that 
participate in the Aeroplan loyalty program. When travelling, 
program members earn redeemable Aeroplan Points based on 
a number of factors including the passenger’s loyalty program 
status, distance travelled, booking class and travel fare paid. 
Members can also earn Aeroplan Points through participating 
Aeroplan program partners such as credit card companies, hotels, 
car rental agencies and other program partners. Aeroplan Points 
are redeemable by members for air travel on Air Canada and other 
participating airlines, and for other program awards, such as hotel, 
car rentals, gift cards, merchandise and other non-air rewards.

Aeroplan members can earn Aeroplan Points: (i) through travel 
and (ii) based on spending with program partners.

Points Earned with Travel

Passenger ticket sales earning Aeroplan Points under the Aeroplan 
loyalty program provide members with (1) air transportation 
and (2) Aeroplan Points. As a revenue arrangement with multiple 
performance obligations, each performance obligation is valued 
on a relative standalone fair value basis. The value of Aeroplan 
Points issued is determined based on the value a passenger 
receives by redeeming Points for a ticket rather than paying 
cash, which is referred to as Equivalent Ticket Value (“ETV”). The 

|   99

ANNUAL REPORT 2023ETV is adjusted for Points that are not expected to be redeemed 
(“breakage”). The consideration allocated to the ETV for Points 
earned with travel is recorded in Aeroplan deferred revenue.

Points Earned through Program Partners

Aeroplan members can earn Aeroplan Points based on their 
spending with participating Aeroplan partners such as credit 
card companies, hotels and car rental agencies and other 
program partners. Aeroplan Points issued under program partner 
agreements are accounted for as a single performance obligation 
being the future delivery of a redemption reward to the Aeroplan 
member. The consideration received for Aeroplan Points issued 
to Aeroplan members under these agreements is recorded as 
Aeroplan deferred revenue.

Breakage represents the estimated Aeroplan Points that are not 
expected to be redeemed by Aeroplan members. The amount of 
revenue recognized related to breakage is based on the number 
of Aeroplan Points redeemed in a period in relation to the total 
number of Aeroplan Points expected to be redeemed. The 
number of Aeroplan Points redeemed in a period also factors 
into any revised estimate for breakage. Changes in breakage are 
accounted for as follows: in the period of change, the deferred 
revenue balance is adjusted as if the revised estimate had been 
used in prior periods with the offsetting amount recorded as an 
adjustment to passenger revenue; and for subsequent periods, the 
revised estimate is used.

F) Other Revenues
Other revenue is primarily comprised of revenues from the sale 
of the ground portion of vacation packages, ground handling 
services, on-board sales, lounge pass sales and loyalty program 
marketing fees. Vacation package revenue is recognized as 
services are provided over the period of the vacation. Other airline 
related service revenues are recognized as the products are sold to 
passengers or the services are provided. 

Redemption of Aeroplan Points for non-air goods and services 
is recorded in other revenue. For non-air redemptions, the 
Corporation has determined that, for accounting purposes, it 
is not the principal in the transaction between the member 
and the ultimate supplier of the goods or service. When Points 
are redeemed for non-air goods and services, the net margin is 
recorded in other revenue when the performance obligation is 
satisfied.

In certain subleases of aircraft to Jazz, for accounting purposes, 
the Corporation acts as an agent and accordingly reports the 
sublease revenues net against capacity purchase fees. The 
Corporation acts as lessee and sublessor in these matters. 

G) Employee Benefits
The cost of pensions, other post-retirement and post-
employment benefits earned by employees is actuarially 
determined annually as at December 31 and is prepared by the 
Corporation’s consulting actuaries. The cost is determined using 
the projected unit credit method and assumptions including 
discount rates, future increases in compensation, retirement ages 
of employees, mortality rates, and health care costs. 

Past service costs are recognized in the period of a plan 
amendment, irrespective of whether the benefits have vested. 
Gains and losses on curtailments or settlements are recognized in 
the period in which the curtailment or settlement occurs.

The current service cost and any past service cost, gains and 
losses on curtailments or settlements are recorded in Wages, 
salaries and benefits generally. The interest arising on the net 
benefit obligations are presented in Other in Non-operating 
income (expense). Net actuarial gains and losses, referred to as 
remeasurements, are recognized in Other comprehensive income 
and Retained earnings without subsequent reclassification to 
income.

The current service cost is estimated utilizing different discount 
rates derived from the yield curve used to measure the defined 
benefit obligation at the beginning of the year, reflecting the 
different timing of benefit payments for past service (the defined 
benefit obligation) and future service (the current service cost).

The liability in respect of minimum funding requirements, 
if any, is determined using the projected minimum funding 
requirements, based on management’s best estimates of the 
actuarially determined funded status of the plan, market discount 
rates and salary escalation estimates. The liability in respect 
of the minimum funding requirement and any subsequent 
remeasurement of that liability are recognized immediately in 
Other comprehensive income and Retained earnings (deficit) 
without subsequent reclassification to income.

Recognized pension assets are limited to the present value of any 
reductions in future contributions or any future refunds.

H) Employee Profit Sharing Plans
The Corporation has employee profit sharing plans. Payments 
are calculated based on full calendar year results and an expense 
recorded throughout the year, as applicable, as a charge to Wages, 
salaries and benefits based on the estimated annual payments 
under the plans.

100   |

ANNUAL REPORT 2023I) Share-Based Compensation Plans
Certain employees of the Corporation participate in Air Canada’s 
Long-Term Incentive Plan, which provides for the grant of stock 
options, performance share units (“PSUs”) and restricted share 
units (“RSUs”), as further described in Note 13. PSUs and RSUs 
are notional share units which are exchangeable on a one-to-one 
basis for Air Canada shares or the cash equivalent, as determined 
by the Board of Directors. 

Options are expensed using a graded vesting model over the 
vesting period. The Corporation recognizes compensation expense 
and a corresponding adjustment to Contributed surplus equal to 
the fair value of the equity instruments granted using the Black-
Scholes option pricing model taking into consideration forfeiture 
estimates. Compensation expense is adjusted for subsequent 
changes in management’s estimate of the number of options that 
are expected to vest.

PSUs and RSUs are accounted for as cash settled instruments 
based on settlement experience. In accounting for cash settled 
instruments, compensation expense is adjusted for subsequent 
changes in the fair value of the PSUs and RSUs taking into account 
forfeiture estimates. The liability related to cash settled PSUs and 
RSUs is recorded in Other long-term liabilities. 

Air Canada also maintains an employee share purchase plan. 
Under this plan, contributions by the Corporation’s employees are 
matched to a specific percentage by the Corporation. Employees 
must remain with the Corporation and retain their shares until 
March 31 of the subsequent year for vesting of the Corporation’s 
contributions. These contributions are expensed in Wages, 
salaries, and benefits expense over the vesting period. 

J) Maintenance and Repairs
Maintenance and repair costs for both leased and owned 
aircraft are charged to Aircraft maintenance as incurred, with 
the exception of maintenance and repair costs related to return 
conditions on aircraft under lease, which are accrued over the 
term of the lease, and major maintenance expenditures on owned 
and leased aircraft, which are capitalized as described below in 
Note 2Q.

Maintenance and repair costs related to return conditions on 
aircraft leases are recorded over the term of the lease for the 
end of lease maintenance return condition obligations within 
the Corporation’s leases, offset by a prepaid maintenance asset 
to the extent of any related power-by-the-hour maintenance 
service agreements. Maintenance provisions for end-of-lease 
return obligations are recorded, as applicable, on aircraft leases 
as a maintenance expense over the term of the lease, taking into 
account the specific risks of the liability over the remaining term 
of the lease. Interest accretion on the provision is recorded in 
Other non-operating expense. Any changes to the provision for 
end-of-lease conditions are recognized as an adjustment to the 
right-of-use asset and subsequently amortized to the income 
statement over the remaining term of the lease. Any difference 
in the actual maintenance cost incurred and the amount of the 
provision are recorded in Aircraft maintenance.

In connection with an amended agreement between Air Canada 
and a third-party service provider concluded in 2022, a 
favourable adjustment of $159 million was recorded in 2022 
in Aircraft maintenance expense arising from the adjustment 
to maintenance accruals and the recognition of future credits 
that will be available under the amended agreement. Given the 
significantly reduced aircraft operations and fleet reductions 
during the COVID-19 pandemic, this agreement was amended by 
the parties to convert the nature of the services from a power-by-
the-hour basis to a time and materials contract and to reduce the 
number of items covered under the agreement.  

K) Other Operating Expenses
Included in Other operating expenses are expenses related to 
building rent and maintenance, airport terminal handling costs, 
professional fees and services, crew meals and hotels, advertising 
and promotion, insurance costs, and other expenses. Other 
operating expenses are recognized as incurred.

L) Financial Instruments

Recognition

Financial assets and financial liabilities, including derivatives, 
are recognized on the consolidated statement of financial 
position when the Corporation becomes a party to the financial 
instrument or derivative contract. 

Classification

The Corporation classifies its financial assets and financial 
liabilities in the following measurement categories: (i) those to 
be measured subsequently at fair value (either through other 
comprehensive income or through profit or loss) and (ii) those 
to be measured at amortized cost. The classification of financial 
assets depends on the business model for managing the financial 
assets and the contractual terms of the cash flows. Financial 
liabilities are classified as those to be measured at amortized cost 
unless they are designated as those to be measured subsequently 
at fair value through profit or loss (irrevocable election at the 
time of recognition). For assets and liabilities measured at fair 
value, gains and losses are either recorded in profit or loss or other 
comprehensive income. 

The Corporation reclassifies financial assets when and only when 
its business model for managing those assets changes. Financial 
liabilities are not reclassified.

The Corporation has implemented the following classifications:

•  Cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, restricted 
cash, and long-term investments are classified as assets at fair 
value through profit and loss and any period change in fair value 
is recorded through Interest income and Financial instruments 
recorded at fair value in the consolidated statement of 
operations, as applicable.

|   101

ANNUAL REPORT 2023•  The equity investment in Chorus is classified as an asset at fair 
value through other comprehensive income and any period 
change in fair value is recorded through other comprehensive 
income in the consolidated statement of comprehensive 
income, as applicable.

•  Accounts receivable and Aircraft-related and other deposits are 
classified as assets at amortized cost and are measured using 
the effective interest rate method. Interest income is recorded 
in the consolidated statement of operations, as applicable.

•  Accounts payable, credit facilities, and long-term debt are 
classified as other financial liabilities and are measured at 
amortized cost using the effective interest rate method. 
Interest expense is recorded in the consolidated statement of 
operations, as applicable.

Measurement 

All financial instruments are required to be measured at fair 
value on initial recognition, plus, in the case of a financial asset 
or financial liability not at fair value through profit or loss, 
transaction costs that are directly attributable to the acquisition 
or issue of the financial asset or financial liability. Transaction 
costs of financial assets and financial liabilities carried at fair value 
through profit or loss are expensed in profit or loss. Financial 
assets with embedded derivatives are considered in their entirety 
when determining whether their cash flows are solely payment of 
principal and interest.

Subsequent to initial recognition, financial assets that are 
held within a business model whose objective is to collect the 
contractual cash flows, and that have contractual cash flows 
that are solely payments of principal and interest on the principal 
outstanding are generally measured at amortized cost. All other 
financial assets including equity investments are measured at 
their fair values at the end of subsequent accounting periods, with 
any changes taken through profit and loss or other comprehensive 
income (irrevocable election at the time of recognition). 

Impairment 

The Corporation assesses all information available, including, on a 
forward-looking basis, the expected credit losses associated with 
its assets carried at amortized cost. The impairment methodology 
applied depends on whether there has been a significant 
increase in credit risk. To assess whether there is a significant 
increase in credit risk, the Corporation compares the risk of a 
default occurring on the asset as at the reporting date with the 
risk of default as at the date of initial recognition based on all 
information available, and reasonable and supportive forward-
looking information. For trade receivables only, the Corporation 
applies the simplified approach as permitted by IFRS 9 which 
requires expected lifetime losses to be recognized from initial 
recognition of receivables.

Derivatives and Hedge Accounting

The Corporation enters into foreign currency, fuel derivatives 
and share forward contracts to manage the associated risks. 
Derivative instruments are recorded on the consolidated 
statement of financial position at fair value, including those 
derivatives that are embedded in financial or non-financial 
contracts that are required to be accounted for separately. 
Changes in the fair value of derivative instruments are recognized 
in Non-operating income (expense), except for effective changes 
for designated fuel derivatives under hedge accounting as 
described below. Derivative instruments are recorded in Prepaid 
expenses and other current assets, Deposits and other assets, 
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities, and Other long-term 
liabilities based on the terms of the contractual agreements. All 
cash flows associated with purchasing and selling derivatives are 
classified as operating cash flows in the consolidated statement of 
cash flow.

The Corporation applies hedge accounting for designated fuel 
derivatives. The Corporation has established a hedge ratio of 
1:1 for its hedging relationships. Under hedge accounting, to the 
extent effective, the gain or loss on fuel hedging derivatives is 
recorded in other comprehensive income. Premiums paid for 
option contracts and the time value of the option contracts are 
deferred as a cost of the hedge in other comprehensive income. 
Amounts accumulated in other comprehensive income are 
presented as hedging reserve in equity and are reclassified to 
Aircraft fuel expense when the underlying hedged jet fuel is used. 
Any ineffective gain or loss on fuel hedging derivatives is recorded 
in non-operating expense in Gain on financial instruments 
recorded at fair value.

When a hedging instrument expires, is sold or terminated, or 
when a hedge no longer meets the criteria for hedge accounting, 
any cumulative deferred gain or loss and deferred costs of 
hedging in equity at that time remains in equity until the forecast 
transaction occurs. When the forecast transaction is no longer 
expected to occur, the cumulative gain or loss and deferred 
costs of hedging that were reported in equity are immediately 
reclassified to profit or loss.

M) Foreign Currency Translation
The functional currency of Air Canada and its subsidiaries is the 
Canadian dollar. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in 
foreign currencies are translated into Canadian dollars at rates 
of exchange in effect at the date of the consolidated statement 
of financial position. Non-monetary assets and liabilities, 
revenues and expenses arising from transactions denominated in 
foreign currencies, are translated at the historical exchange rate 
or the average exchange rate during the period, as applicable. 
Adjustments to the Canadian dollar equivalent of foreign 
denominated monetary assets and liabilities due to the impact 
of exchange rate changes are recognized in Foreign exchange 
gain (loss). 

102   |

ANNUAL REPORT 2023N) Income Taxes
The tax expense for the period comprises current and deferred 
income tax. Tax expense is recognized in the consolidated 
statement of operations, except to the extent that it relates to 
items recognized in other comprehensive income or directly in 
equity, in which case the tax is netted with such items. 

The current income tax expense is calculated on the basis of the 
tax laws enacted or substantively enacted at the balance sheet 
date in the jurisdictions where the Corporation and its subsidiaries 
operate and generate taxable income. Management periodically 
evaluates positions taken in tax returns with respect to situations 
in which applicable tax regulations are subject to interpretation. It 
establishes provisions where appropriate on the basis of amounts 
expected to be paid to the tax authorities. 

Deferred income tax is recognized, using the liability method, on 
temporary differences arising between the tax bases of assets and 
liabilities and their carrying amounts in the consolidated financial 
statements. Deferred income tax is determined using tax rates 
and laws that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the 
balance sheet date and are expected to apply when the related 
deferred income tax asset is realized or the deferred income tax 
liability is settled. 

Deferred income tax assets are recognized only to the extent that 
it is probable that future taxable profit will be available against 
which the temporary differences can be utilized. 

O) Earnings (Loss) Per Share
Basic earnings (loss) per share (“EPS”) is calculated by dividing the 
net income (loss) for the period attributable to the shareholders 
of Air Canada by the weighted average number of shares 
outstanding during the period. 

Diluted EPS is calculated by adjusting the weighted average 
number of shares outstanding for dilutive potential shares. The 
Corporation’s potentially dilutive shares are comprised of stock 
options and convertible notes. The number of shares included 
with respect to time vesting options is computed using the 
treasury stock method unless they are anti-dilutive. Under this 
method, the proceeds from the exercise of such instruments are 
assumed to be used to purchase shares at the average market 
price for the period and the difference between the number of 
shares issued upon exercise and the number of shares assumed to 
be purchased is included in the calculation. The number of shares 
included with respect to performance-based employee share 
options is treated as contingently issuable shares because their 
issue is contingent upon satisfying specified conditions in addition 
to the passage of time. If the specified conditions are met, then 
the number of shares included is also computed using the treasury 
stock method unless they are anti-dilutive. 

The weighted average number of shares outstanding in diluted 
EPS is also adjusted for the number of shares that would be issued 
on the conversion of the convertible notes. Additionally, the net 
income (loss) is adjusted for the after-tax effect of any changes 
to net income (loss) that would result from the conversion of the 
convertible notes, including interest recognized in the period, 

foreign exchange recognized on the debt principal, and the mark 
to market revaluation of the embedded derivative unless the 
result of the adjustments is anti-dilutive.  

P) Aircraft Fuel Inventory and Spare Parts and 
Supplies Inventory
Inventories of aircraft fuel, spare parts and supplies are measured 
at cost being determined using a weighted average formula, net of 
related obsolescence provision, as applicable.

The Corporation did not recognize any write-downs on inventories 
or reversals of any previous write-downs during the periods 
presented. Included in Aircraft maintenance is $62 million related 
to spare parts and supplies consumed during the year (2022 – 
$51 million).

Q) Property and Equipment
Property and equipment are recognized using the cost model. 
Property under leases, recognized as right-of-use assets, and the 
related obligation for future lease payments are initially recorded 
at an amount equal to the lesser of fair value of the asset and the 
present value of those lease payments. 

The Corporation allocates the amount initially recognized in 
respect of an item of property and equipment to its significant 
components and depreciates separately each component. 
Property and equipment are depreciated to estimated residual 
values based on the straight-line method over their estimated 
service lives. Aircraft and flight equipment are componentized 
into airframe, engine, and cabin interior equipment and 
modifications. Airframes and engines are depreciated over periods 
not exceeding 25 years, with residual values initially estimated 
at 10% of the original cost and updated for changes in estimates 
over time. Spare engines and related parts (“rotables”) are 
depreciated over the average remaining useful life of the fleet to 
which they relate with residual values initially estimated at 10%. 
Cabin interior equipment and modifications are depreciated over 
the lesser of eight years or the remaining useful life of the aircraft. 
Cabin interior equipment and modifications to aircraft on lease 
are amortized over the lesser of eight years or the term of the 
lease. Major maintenance of airframes and engines, including 
replacement spares and parts, labour costs and/or third-party 
maintenance service costs, are capitalized and amortized over the 
average expected life between major maintenance events. Major 
maintenance events typically consist of more complex inspections 
and servicing of the aircraft. All power-by-the-hour fleet 
maintenance contract costs are charged to operating expenses in 
the income statement as incurred. Buildings are depreciated on 
a straight-line basis over their useful lives not exceeding 50 years 
or the term of any related lease, whichever is less. Leasehold 
improvements are amortized over the lesser of the lease term or 
10 years. Ground and other equipment is depreciated over periods 
ranging from 3 to 25 years. 

Residual values and useful lives are reviewed at least annually, and 
depreciation rates are adjusted accordingly on a prospective basis. 
Gains and losses on disposals of property and equipment are 
determined by comparing the proceeds with the carrying amount 

|   103

ANNUAL REPORT 2023of the asset and are included as part of non-operating gains and 
losses in the consolidated statement of operations.

R) Leases
Accounting for Leases and Right-of-Use Assets

Leases are recognized as a right-of-use asset and corresponding 
liability at the date of which the leased asset is available for use 
by the Corporation. Each lease payment is allocated between the 
liability and interest expense. The interest cost is charged to the 
consolidated statement of operations over the lease period to 
produce a constant rate of interest on the remaining balance of 
the liability for each period.

Right-of-use assets are accounted for under IAS 16 Property, Plant 
and Equipment. Aircraft recorded as right-of-use assets have the 
same accounting policies as directly owned aircraft, meaning 
the right-of-use assets are componentized and depreciated over 
the lease term. Consistent with owned aircraft, any qualifying 
maintenance events are capitalized and depreciated over the 
lesser of the lease term and expected maintenance life. 

Changes to the terms and conditions, or events impacting 
the extension of a lease would usually require an assessment 
of whether it is a lease modification which could involve 
recalculating lease assets and liabilities using a revised 
discount rate.

Maintenance provisions for end-of-lease return obligations are 
recorded, as applicable, on aircraft leases as a maintenance 
expense over the term of the lease. Any changes to the provision 
for end-of-lease conditions are recognized as an adjustment to 
the right-of-use asset and subsequently amortized to the income 
statement over the remaining term of the lease.

Aircraft Leases

As at December 31, 2023 the Corporation had 75 aircraft under 
right-of-use leases (71 aircraft as at December 31, 2022), and 
recorded such aircraft as right-of-use assets and lease liabilities 
of Air Canada in accordance with the requirements of IFRS 
16. Additionally, Air Canada is the lessee in respect of certain 
aircraft used by its regional carrier, Jazz, providing services under 
a capacity purchase agreement and recorded such aircraft as 
right-of-use assets and lease liabilities of Air Canada. As at 
December 31, 2023, there were 81 aircraft (99 aircraft as at 
December 31, 2022) operating under these arrangements on 
behalf of Air Canada.

Property Leases

The Corporation has leases related to airport terminal operations 
space and other real estate leases. For leases related to terminal 
operations space, there are generally effective substitution rights 
in the hands of the lessor and therefore these are not considered 
lease contracts under the standard. Leases with reciprocal 
termination rights with a notice period of less than 12 months 
are considered short-term leases and therefore excluded from 
balance sheet recognition under the practical expedient. Finally, 
those airport terminal contracts with entirely variable lease 

104   |

payments are also excluded since variable lease payments, other 
than those based on an index or rate, are excluded from the 
measurement of the lease liability. This results in a portfolio of 
property leases that are recorded as right-of-use assets and lease 
liabilities under the standard which relate to dedicated space in 
Air Canada’s hub locations of Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver, 
lease contracts on building space dedicated to the Corporation for 
offices, airport and maintenance operations, Maple Leaf Lounges 
and land leases.

S) Intangible Assets
Intangible assets are initially recorded at cost. Indefinite life 
intangible assets are not amortized while assets with finite 
lives are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated 
useful lives.

Estimated   
Useful Life

Remaining 
amortization  
period as at  
December 31, 2023

Indefinite

Not applicable

Indefinite

Not applicable

5 to 15 years

1 to 12 years

11.5 years

7 years

International route 
rights and slots

Marketing-based trade 
names

Technology-based 
(internally developed)

Contract-based 
(Aeroplan commercial 
agreements)

Air Canada has international route rights and slots which enable 
the Corporation to provide services internationally. The value of 
the recorded intangible assets relates to the cost of route and 
slot rights at Tokyo’s Narita International Airport, Washington’s 
Reagan National Airport and London’s Heathrow Airport. 

Air Canada and certain of its subsidiaries have trade names, 
trademarks, and domain names (collectively, “Trade Names”). 
These items are marketing-based intangible assets as they are 
primarily used in the sale and promotion of Air Canada’s and/
or a subsidiary’s products and services. If there were plans to 
cease using any of the Trade Names, the specific names would 
be classified as finite and amortized over the expected remaining 
useful life.

Development costs that are directly attributable to the design, 
development, implementation and testing of identifiable software 
products are recognized as technology-based intangible assets 
if certain criteria are met, including technical feasibility and 
intent and ability to develop and use the technology to generate 
probable future economic benefits; otherwise, they are expensed 
as incurred. Directly attributable costs that are capitalized as 
part of the technology-based intangible assets include software-
related, employee and third-party development costs and an 
appropriate portion of relevant overhead. Configuration or 

ANNUAL REPORT 2023customization costs in a cloud computing arrangement are 
also included when they meet the capitalization criteria as an 
intangible asset.

T) Goodwill
Goodwill represents the excess of the cost of an acquisition over 
the fair value of the Corporation’s share of the net identifiable 
assets of the acquired business at the date of acquisition. 
Goodwill is tested at least annually for impairment and carried 
at cost less accumulated impairment losses. Impairment losses 
on goodwill are not reversed. For the purpose of impairment 
testing, goodwill is tested for impairment at the lowest level 
within the entity at which the goodwill is monitored for internal 
management purposes, being the operating segment level 
(Note 2W). 

recognized. The carrying amount of any individual asset in the 
CGU is not increased above the carrying value that would have 
been determined had the original impairment not occurred. A 
reversal of an impairment loss is recognized immediately in the 
consolidated statement of operations.

V) Provisions
Provisions are recognized when there exists a present legal or 
constructive obligation as a result of past events, it is probable 
that an outflow of resources will be required to settle the 
obligation, and a reliable estimate can be made of the obligation. 
If the effect is significant, the expected cash flows are discounted 
using a rate that reflects, where appropriate, the risks specific to 
the liability. Where discounting is used, interest accretion on the 
provision is recorded in Other non-operating expense. 

U) Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
Long-lived assets include property and equipment, finite 
lived intangible assets, indefinite lived intangible assets and 
goodwill. Assets that have an indefinite useful life, including 
goodwill are tested at least annually for impairment or when 
events or circumstances indicate that the carrying value may 
not be recoverable. Assets that are subject to depreciation or 
amortization are reviewed for impairment whenever events or 
changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount 
may not be recoverable. An impairment test is performed by 
comparing the carrying amount of the asset or group of assets to 
their recoverable amount. The recoverable amount is calculated 
as the higher of an asset’s or cash-generating unit’s fair value less 
costs to dispose and its value in use. For the purpose of assessing 
impairment, assets are grouped at the lowest levels for which 
there are separately identifiable cash inflows (cash-generating 
units or CGUs). Management has determined that the appropriate 
level for assessing impairments is at the narrow-body and wide-
body fleet levels for aircraft and related assets supporting the 
operating fleet. Parked aircraft (not including aircraft that are 
parked but are expected to be so temporarily and returned to 
service) not used in operations and aircraft leased or subleased to 
third parties are assessed for impairment at the individual asset 
level. An impairment loss is recognized for the amount by which 
the asset’s or cash-generating unit’s carrying amount exceeds its 
recoverable amount. 

Long-lived assets, other than goodwill, that suffered an 
impairment are reviewed for possible reversal of the impairment 
at each reporting date. Management assesses whether there 
is any indication that an impairment loss recognized in a prior 
period no longer exists or has decreased. In assessing whether 
there is a possible reversal of an impairment loss, management 
considers the indicators that gave rise to the impairment loss. If 
any such indicators exist that an impairment loss has reversed, 
management estimates the recoverable amount of the long-
lived asset. An impairment loss recognized in prior periods for 
an asset other than goodwill shall be reversed only if there 
has been a change in the estimates used to determine the 
asset’s recoverable amount since the last impairment loss was 

W) Segment Reporting
Air Canada is managed as one operating segment based on how 
financial information is produced internally for the purposes of 
making operating decisions. The operating segment is reported 
in a manner consistent with the internal reporting provided to 
the chief operating decision maker. The chief operating decision 
maker, who is responsible for allocating resources and assessing 
performance of operations, has been identified as the President 
and Chief Executive Officer. 

X) Accounting Standard Issued but not yet 
Adopted

Amendments to IAS 1, Presentation of Financial 
Statements – Classification of Liabilities as Current or 
Non-current

In October 2022, the IASB published amendments to the 
Classification of Liabilities as Current or Non-current in IAS 1 
Presentation of Financial Statements. The amendments aim to 
improve the information companies provide when the right to 
defer settlement of a liability for at least 12 months is subject to 
the entity complying with covenants after the reporting date. The 
amendments specify that covenants to be complied with after the 
reporting date do not affect the classification of debt as current 
or non-current at the reporting date. The amendments require an 
entity to disclose information about these covenants in the notes 
to the financial statements. 

The amendments are effective for annual periods beginning on or 
after January 1, 2024. The Corporation is evaluating the impact of 
the amendments. 

IAS 12 Income Taxes 

In May 2023, the IASB issued an amendment to IAS 12. The 
amendment addresses accounting for the global minimum tax 
as outlined in the two-pillar plan for international tax reform 
developed by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation 
and Development. The objective of the tax reform is to ensure 
that large multinational enterprises are subject to a minimum 

|   105

ANNUAL REPORT 2023income tax rate of 15% in each jurisdiction they operate. The 
amendment to IAS 12 includes temporary mandatory relief 
from recognizing and disclosing deferred taxes related to the 
implementation of Pillar Two global minimum tax rules. As of 
December 31, 2023, the Pillar Two legislation has not yet been 
enacted or substantively enacted in any of the jurisdictions where 
the Corporation has a constituent entity for the purposes of Pillar 
Two.  As such, the Corporation has yet to apply the temporary 
exemption. The Corporation will disclose known or reasonably 
estimable information related to the Corporation’s exposure 
to Pillar Two income taxes when it is enacted or substantively 
enacted in a jurisdiction where the Corporation has a constituent 
entity and will disclose separately current tax related to Pillar Two 
income taxes when it is in effect.

106   |

ANNUAL REPORT 20233

Critical Accounting Estimates and Judgments

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with 
GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions 
that affect the amounts reported in these financial statements 
and accompanying notes. These estimates and associated 
assumptions are based on historical experience, future operating 
plans and various other factors believed to be reasonable under 
the circumstances, and the results of such estimates form the 
basis of judgments about carrying values of assets and liabilities. 
These underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. 
Actual results could differ materially from those estimates. 

Significant estimates and judgments made in the preparation 
of these financial statements include the following areas, with 
further information contained in the applicable accounting policy 
or note:

Impairment Considerations on Long-lived 
Assets
When required, an impairment test is performed by comparing 
the carrying amount of the asset or cash-generating unit to 
their recoverable amount, which is calculated as the higher 
of an asset’s or cash-generating unit’s fair value less costs to 
dispose and its value in use. Fair value less costs to dispose may 
be calculated based upon a discounted cash flow analysis, which 
requires management to make a number of significant market 
participant assumptions including assumptions relating to cash 
flow projections, discount rates and future growth rates. Refer to 
Note 6.

Employee Future Benefits
The cost and related liabilities of the Corporation’s pension, other 
post-retirement and post-employment benefit programs are 
determined using actuarial valuations. The actuarial valuations 
involve assumptions and estimates including discount rates and 
mortality assumptions. Also, due to the long-term nature of these 
programs, such estimates are subject to significant uncertainty. 
Refer to Note 9 for additional information.

Aeroplan Loyalty Program
Loyalty program accounting requires management to make 
several estimates including the ETV of Aeroplan Points issued 
and the breakage on Aeroplan Points. The ETV of Aeroplan Points 
issued is determined based on the value a passenger receives by 
redeeming Points for a ticket rather than paying cash. This ETV is 
estimated with reference to historical Aeroplan redemptions as 
compared to equivalent ticket purchases after considering similar 
fare conditions, advance booking periods and other relevant 
factors including the selling price of Points to third parties. ETV 
estimates and assumptions are considered for updates at least 
annually. A change in the ETV rate is accounted for prospectively.

Breakage represents the estimated Points that are not expected to 
be redeemed. Breakage is estimated by management based on the 
terms and conditions of membership and historical accumulation 
and redemption patterns, as adjusted for changes to any terms 

and conditions or other circumstances that may affect future 
redemptions. Management uses statistical and simulation models 
to estimate breakage. A change in assumptions as to the number 
of Points expected to be redeemed could have a significant impact 
on revenue in the year in which the change occurs. Given the 
unique impact the COVID-19 pandemic had on travel demand 
and consumer spending patterns, and considering the launch 
of the new Aeroplan program in 2020 and the special benefits 
and accommodations for Aeroplan members in response to the 
COVID-19 pandemic, the breakage estimate is unchanged in 2023 
and is based on a qualitative update of the prior assessment. 
In addition, the estimate is based on management’s long-term 
expectations of breakage over the life of the program.

As at December 31, 2023, the Aeroplan Points deferred revenue 
balance was $3,562 million. For the purposes of sensitivity 
analysis, a 1% change in the number of outstanding Points 
estimated to be redeemed would result in an approximate impact 
of $36 million on revenue with a corresponding adjustment to 
Aeroplan deferred revenue. 

Breakage
Breakage estimates and resulting amount of breakage revenues 
recorded are estimated based on historical breakage patterns and 
are subject to measurement uncertainty. Estimates of breakage 
may vary in future periods. These estimates have been impacted 
by the COVID-19 pandemic including: (i) flight cancellations, 
(ii) the conversion of certain tickets into non-expiring travel 
vouchers for flights that were cancelled with travel dates after 
February 1, 2020 and purchased before April 13, 2021, and 
(iii) changes in ticket usage and exchange patterns.

Depreciation and Amortization Period for 
Long-lived Assets
The Corporation makes estimates about the expected useful lives 
of long-lived assets and the expected residual value of the assets 
based on the estimated current and future fair values of the assets, 
the Corporation’s fleet plans and the cash flows they generate. 
Changes to these estimates, which can be significant, could be 
caused by a variety of factors, including changes to maintenance 
programs, changes in jet fuel prices and other operating costs, 
changes in utilization of the aircraft, and changing market prices 
for new and used aircraft of the same or similar types. Estimates 
and assumptions are evaluated at least annually. Generally, these 
adjustments are accounted for on a prospective basis, through 
depreciation and amortization expense. For the purposes of 
sensitivity analysis on these estimates, a 50% reduction to 
residual values on aircraft with remaining useful lives greater 
than five years results in an increase of $14 million to annual 
depreciation expense. For aircraft with shorter remaining useful 
lives, the residual values are not expected to change significantly. 

|   107

ANNUAL REPORT 2023Maintenance Provisions 
The recording of maintenance provisions related to return 
conditions on aircraft leases requires management to make 
estimates of the future costs associated with the maintenance 
events required under the lease return condition and estimates 
of the expected future maintenance condition of the aircraft 
at the time of lease expiry. These estimates take into account 
current costs of these maintenance events, estimates of inflation 
surrounding these costs as well as assumptions surrounding 
utilization of the related aircraft. Any difference in the actual 
maintenance cost incurred at the end of the lease and the amount 
of the provision is recorded in Aircraft maintenance expense in the 
period. The effect of any changes in estimates, including changes 
in discount rates, inflation assumptions, cost estimates or lease 
expiries, is recognized as an adjustment to the right-of-use asset. 
Refer to Note 10(a) for additional information.

Income Taxes
Since 2020, the net deferred income tax assets related to unused 
tax losses and other deductible temporary differences have 
not been recognized. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, 
there was considerable negative evidence relating to losses that 
were incurred at that time and assumptions as to the timing of 
reversal of temporary differences include expectations about the 
future results of operations and future cash flows. Management 
continues to assess the available positive and negative evidence 
to estimate whether sufficient future taxable income will be 
generated to permit use of the existing deferred tax assets. 
Deferred tax assets have only been recognized to the extent of 
taxable temporary differences expected to reverse and generate 
taxable income against which the deferred tax assets can be 
utilized. The future income tax deductions underlying the 
unrecognized deferred income tax assets remain available for use 
in the future to reduce taxable income. Refer to Note 11 Income 
taxes for additional information.

108   |

ANNUAL REPORT 20234

Investments, Deposits And Other Assets

(Canadian dollars in millions)

Long-term investments

Investment in Chorus (a)

Restricted cash (b)

Aircraft related deposit

Prepayments under maintenance agreements

Other investments

Other deposits

2023

2022

$

744

$

823

40

89

47

47

36

6

51

79

47

53

13

7

$ 1,009

$ 1,073

(a) The investment represents Air Canada’s holding of 15,561,600 class B voting shares in the capital of Chorus.

(b) Restricted cash represents funds held in trust with various financial institutions as collateral for letters of credit and other items. 

|   109

ANNUAL REPORT 20235

Property and Equipment

(Canadian dollars in millions)

Owned tangible assets

December 31, 2023

December 31, 2022

Cost

Accumulated 
depreciation

Net book 
value

Cost

Accumulated 
depreciation

Net book 
value

Aircraft and flight equipment

$ 15,589

$ 6,986

$ 8,603

$ 14,777

$

6,152

$ 8,625

Buildings and leasehold improvements

Ground and other equipment

Purchase deposits and assets under 
development

Owned tangible assets

Right-of-use assets

Air Canada aircraft

Regional aircraft

Land and buildings

Right-of-use assets

1,122

697

685

676

488

-

446

209

685

1,091

664

470

646

491

-

445

173

470

$ 18,093

$ 8,150

$ 9,943

$ 17,002

$ 7,289

$ 9,713

$ 4,143

$ 2,966

$

1,177

$ 4,042

$ 2,750

$ 1,292

1,591

601

1,130

249

461

352

1,982

578

1,394

221

588

357

$ 6,335

$ 4,345

$ 1,990

$ 6,602

$ 4,365

$ 2,237

Property and equipment

$ 24,428

$ 12,495

$ 11,933

$ 23,604

$ 11,654

$ 11,950

Additions to owned aircraft in 2023 include one new Airbus A220 and one new Boeing 787-9. Additions through the purchase of leased 
aircraft include three Airbus A321, one Boeing 777-300ER, eight Mitsubishi CRJ-200 and 10 Mitsubishi CRJ-900. Additions to owned 
aircraft in 2022 included five new Airbus A220, nine new Boeing 737 MAX-8 and two new Boeing 767 freighter aircraft.

Included in aircraft and flight equipment are 28 aircraft and 13 spare engines (2022 – 15 aircraft and 13 spare engines) which are leased 
to Jazz with a cost of $485 million (2022 – $425 million) less accumulated depreciation of $252 million (2022 – $215 million) for a net 
book value of $233 million (2022 – $210 million). Depreciation expense for 2023 for these aircraft and flight equipment amounted to 
$60 million (2022 – $29 million).

Certain property and equipment are pledged as collateral as further described under the applicable debt instruments in Note 8. 

(Canadian dollars in millions)

Owned tangible assets

January 1, 
2023

Additions

Reclass

Disposals Depreciation 

December 31, 
2023

Aircraft and flight equipment

$ 8,625

$

764

$

Buildings and leasehold improvements

Ground and other equipment

Purchase deposits and assets under 
development

445

173

470

1

67

437

171

48

3

(222)

$ 9,713

$ 1,269

$ 1,292

$

257

588

357

5

23

$ 2,237

$

285

$ 11,950

$ 1,554

$

$

$

$

-

-

-

-

-

-

$

$

$

$

Owned tangible assets

Right-of-use assets

Air Canada aircraft

Regional aircraft

Land and buildings

Right-of-use assets

Property and equipment

110   |

$

(5)

$

(952)

$ 8,603

-

-

-

(48)

(34)

-

446

209

685

(5)

$ (1,034)

$ 9,943

-

- 

-

- 

$

(372)

$

1,177

(132)

(28)

461

352

$ (532)

$ 1,990

(5)

$ (1,566)

$ 11,933

ANNUAL REPORT 2023(Canadian dollars in millions)

Owned tangible assets

January 1, 
2022

Additions

Reclass

Disposals

Depreciation 
and 
impairment

December 31, 
2022

Aircraft and flight equipment

$ 8,094

$

954

$

464

$

(18)

$ (869)

$ 8,625

Buildings and leasehold improvements

Ground and other equipment

Purchase deposits and assets under 
development

Owned tangible assets

Right-of-use assets

Air Canada aircraft

Regional aircraft

Land and buildings

Right-of-use assets

Property and equipment

451

184

549

3

26

426

39

2

(505)

$ 9,278

$ 1,409

$ 1,484

$

181

670

308

72

75

$ 2,462

$

328

$ 11,740

$ 1,737

$

$

$

$

-

-

-

-

-

-

$

$

$

$

-

-

-

(48)

(39)

-

445

173

470

(18)

$ (956)

$ 9,713

(2)

$

(371)

$ 1,292

-

-

(2)

(20)

(154)

(26)

588

357

$

(551)

$ 2,237

$ (1,507)

$ 11,950

Depreciation and amortization recorded in the consolidated statement of operations is detailed as follows. 

(Canadian dollars in millions)

Aircraft and flight equipment

Buildings and leasehold improvements

Ground and other equipment

Owned tangible assets

Air Canada aircraft

Regional aircraft

Land and buildings

Right-of-use assets

Property and equipment

Spare part and supplies inventory

Intangible assets

Impairment

Depreciation, amortization and impairment

2023

2022

$

952

$ 869

48

34

1,034

372

132

28

532

48

39

956

371

154

26

551

1,566

1,507

11

126

-

8

125

4

$ 1,703

$ 1,644

|   111

ANNUAL REPORT 20236

Intangible Assets

(Canadian dollars in millions)

Year ended December 31, 2022

At January 1, 2022

Additions

Amortization 

At December 31, 2022

At December 31, 2022

Cost

Accumulated amortization

Year ended December 31, 2023

At January 1, 2023

Additions

Amortization 

At December 31, 2023

At December 31, 2023

Cost

Accumulated amortization

International 
route rights 
and slots

Contract-based

Marketing-
based trade 
names

Technology-
based 
(internally 
developed)

Total

$

97

$

167

$

178

$

638

$ 1,080

-

-

97

97

-

97

97

-

-

97

97

-

97

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

-

(19)

148

225

(77)

148

148

-

(19)

129

225

(96)

129

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

-

-

178

178

-

178

178

-

-

178

178

-

178

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

99

(106)

99

(125)

$

631

$ 1,054

$ 1,106

$

$

(475)

631

631

156

(107)

$ 1,606

(552)

$ 1,054

$ 1,054

156

(126)

$

680

$ 1,084

$ 1,259

(579)

$

680

$ 1,759

(675)

$ 1,084

In 2023, technology-based assets with cost and accumulated amortization of $3 million (2022 – $14 million) were retired. 

International route rights and slots are pledged as security for Senior Secured Notes and debt as described in Note 8.

Impairment Assessment of Indefinite Lived Intangibles
Due to the recoverable amount of the cash-generating units exceeding their respective carrying values by an aggregate amount of 
approximately $13 billion, the most recent calculation from the 2021 period was carried forward and used in the impairment test in 
the current period. Management considered reasonably possible changes in key assumptions using multiple modelling scenarios and 
sensitivity analysis and determined such changes would not cause the recoverable amount of each CGU to be less than the carrying 
value. In addition, management has updated the impairment review to take into account the most recent projections from the annual 
business plan and these did not impact this conclusion. 

The assessment of the recoverable amount of the Corporation’s cash-generating units compared to their carrying values was 
performed based on cash flow projections prepared in 2021. This review was performed in conjunction with the annual impairment 
review conducted on all intangible assets that have an indefinite life. The allocation of the indefinite lived intangible assets to the 
cash-generating units was $165 million to wide-body aircraft and $110 million to narrow-body aircraft. The recoverable amount of the 
cash-generating units was measured based on fair value less cost to dispose, using a discounted cash flow model. The discounted cash 
flow model represents a level 3 fair value measurement within the IFRS 13 fair value hierarchy. The cash flows are management’s best 
estimates using current and anticipated market conditions covering a five-year period.

112   |

ANNUAL REPORT 2023 
 
Key assumptions used for the fair value less cost to dispose calculations in fiscal 2021 were as follows:

Key Assumption

2021

Approach used to determine values

Average discount 
rate

9.25%

Derived from market participant assumptions regarding the Corporation’s weighted average 
cost of capital adjusted for taxes and specific risks applicable to each cash-generating unit 
being tested.

Inputs to the various scenarios ranged from 9.5%-11% for the wide-body CGU and 7.5%-9% 
for the narrow-body CGU.

Long-term growth 
rate

2.5%

Cash flows beyond the five-year period are projected to increase at 2.5% consistent with the 
long-term growth assumption of the airline industry considering various factors such as the 
Corporation’s fleet plans and industry growth assumptions.

Jet fuel price range 
per barrel

US$92 – US$97

Jet fuel prices are assumed to follow the global market recovery and represent management’s 
best estimate of the range of future market conditions. 

Emerging issues in climate-related matters, such as change in regulations, may impact this 
assumption in future years. 

|   113

ANNUAL REPORT 20237

Goodwill

Goodwill is tested at least annually for impairment. Goodwill is tested for impairment using the fair value less cost to dispose model 
at the operating segment level. Air Canada is managed as one operating segment based on how financial information is produced 
internally for the purposes of making operating decisions, and it is the lowest level at which goodwill is monitored for internal 
management purposes.

In assessing the goodwill for impairment, the Corporation compares the aggregate recoverable amount consisting of the sum of its 
quoted equity market capitalization and the fair value of its debt to the carrying value of its net assets excluding long-term debt. An 
impairment charge is recognized to the extent that the carrying value exceeds the recoverable amount. No impairment losses have 
been recorded against the value of goodwill since its acquisition.

No impairment charges have arisen as a result of the reviews performed as at December 31, 2023 and 2022. Reasonably possible 
changes in key assumptions would not cause the recoverable amount of goodwill to fall below the carrying value. 

114   |

ANNUAL REPORT 20238

Long-Term Debt and Lease Liabilities

Aircraft financing (a)

Fixed rate U.S. dollar financing

Floating rate U.S. dollar financing

Fixed rate CDN dollar financing

Floating rate CDN dollar financing

Fixed rate Japanese yen financing

Convertible notes (b)

Credit facility – CDN dollar (c)

Senior secured notes – CDN dollar (d)

Senior secured notes – U.S. dollar (d)

Senior secured credit facility – U.S. dollar (d)

Long-term debt

Lease liabilities 

Air Canada aircraft

Regional aircraft

Land and buildings

Lease liabilities (e)

Total debt and lease liabilities

Unamortized debt issuance costs and discounts

Current portion – Long-term debt

Current portion – Air Canada aircraft

Current portion – Regional aircraft

Current portion – Land and buildings

Long-term debt and lease liabilities

Final Maturity

2025 – 2030

2027

2026 – 2030

2027

2025

2028

2029

2026

2028

2024 – 2031

2025 – 2035

2024 – 2078

Weighted  
Average 
Interest Rate  
(%)

December 31, 
2023

December 31, 
2022

(Canadian dollars 
in millions)

(Canadian dollars 
in millions)

5.00

7.81

3.78

1.84

4.00

1.21

4.63

3.88

9.13

5.50

5.24

5.70

5.62

5.44

5.48

$

2,877

$

3,408

296

165

-

110

327

1,091

2,000

1,589

3,000

11,455

1,377

711

449

2,537

13,992

(130)

(359)

(337)

(144)

(26)

399

182

1,240

121

313

1,054

2,000

1,626

3,102

13,445

1,667

917

454

3,038

16,483

(177)

(713)

(337)

(187)

(26)

$

12,996

$

15,043

(a) Aircraft financing (US$2,396 million, CDN $165 million and JPY ¥11,749 million) (2022 – US$2,809 million, CDN $1,412 million 
and JPY ¥11,748 million) is secured primarily by specific aircraft with a carrying value of $3,774 million (2022 – $5,745 million). For the 
majority of the financing, principal and interest is repayable quarterly until maturity and can be repaid at any time with the payment of 
applicable fees. US$43 million of the financing is supported by a loan guarantee by the Export-Import Bank of the United States.

In the first quarter of 2023, Air Canada drew on financing for the final two Airbus A220 aircraft under a committed secured facility. The 
financing on these two aircraft was subsequently prepaid when the Corporation prepaid loans of $1,112 million which had been used to 
finance the acquisition of 33 Airbus A220-300 aircraft. In addition, financing of $164 million previously used to fund the acquisition of 
five Boeing 787-8 aircraft was also prepaid. A loss of $10 million was recorded on these debt settlements.  

As a result of the prepayments, these aircraft have been added to the Corporation’s unencumbered asset pool.

(b) In June 2020, Air Canada closed US$748 million ($1,011 million) of convertible unsecured notes (“Convertible Notes”), for net 
proceeds of $986 million. The Convertible Notes bear interest semi-annually in arrears at a rate of 4.0% per annum and will mature on 
July 1, 2025, unless earlier repurchased, redeemed or converted. The Convertible Notes are convertible at the Corporation’s election, 
into cash, or into Class A Variable Voting shares and/or Class B Voting shares of the Corporation, or a combination of cash and shares. 
The Convertible Notes are convertible prior to the close of business on the business day immediately preceding March 1, 2025 only 
under the circumstances and subject to satisfaction of the conversion conditions set out in the indenture for the Convertible Notes, 
and at any time on or after March 1, 2025 until the close of business on the second scheduled trading day immediately preceding 
July 1, 2025, the maturity date of the Convertible Notes, regardless of the foregoing conditions, in each case at the option of the 

|   115

ANNUAL REPORT 2023with the Canadian Dollar Notes, the “Senior Secured Notes”). 
Air Canada also closed a US$2.9 billion new senior secured credit 
facility, comprised of a US$2.3 billion new term loan B maturing 
in 2028 (the “Term Loan”), together with a new undrawn 
US$600 million revolving credit facility maturing in 2025 (the 
“Revolving Facility” and, together with the Term Loan, the “Senior 
Secured Credit Facilities”). 

The Senior Secured Notes and Air Canada’s obligations under the 
Senior Secured Credit Facilities are senior secured obligations of 
the Corporation, secured on a first-lien basis, subject to certain 
permitted liens, by certain collateral comprised of substantially 
all of the Corporation’s international routes, airport slots and gate 
leaseholds.

The Corporation also has a $200 million Canadian dollar revolving 
credit facility maturing in December 2026. Both of the revolving 
credit facilities remained undrawn as of December 31, 2023.

(e) Lease liabilities, related to facilities and aircraft, total 
$2,537 million ($406 million, US$1,593 million and 
GBP £13 million) (2022 – $3,038 million ($415 million, 
US$1,923 million and GBP £10 million)). The carrying value 
of aircraft and facilities under lease liabilities amounted 
to $1,637 million and $352 million respectively (2022 – 
$1,882 million and $355 million).

Other
Under Interbank Offered Rate (“IBOR”) reform, IBORs are 
replaced with alternative benchmark rates. As at December 31, 
2023, debt and aircraft leases referencing $3,296 million USD 
LIBOR were transitioned to term SOFR (Secured Overnight 
Financing Rate). There was no significant impact to the financial 
statements as the change in contractual cash flows was on 
an economically equivalent basis, and therefore the change is 
accounted for by updating the effective interest rate with no gain 
or loss recognized. As at December 31, 2023, the Corporation had 
transitioned all exposure to USD LIBOR settings to alternative 
reference rates.  

Cash interest paid on Long-term debt and lease liabilities in 2023 
by the Corporation was $858 million (2022 – $761 million).

noteholders. The conversion rate of the Convertible Notes is 
65.1337 shares per US$1,000 principal amount of Convertible 
Notes, or a conversion price of approximately US$15.35 per 
share, subject to adjustment in certain events in accordance with 
the indenture.  

The Corporation’s option to deliver cash or a combination of 
cash and shares on the conversion date in lieu of shares (based 
on the daily conversion values for 40 consecutive trading days) 
gives rise to an embedded derivative financial liability measured 
separately at fair value through profit or loss. The carrying value 
of the underlying notes is accreted to their face value using the 
effective interest method, which results in an effective interest 
rate of 10.76%. The fair value of the embedded derivative which is 
recorded in Other long-term liabilities was $320 million at initial 
recognition. At December 31, 2023, the fair value was $56 million 
(2022 - $120 million) and the Corporation recorded  a gain of 
$64 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 ($219 million 
gain for the year 2022). Refer to Note 16. 

In 2022, the Corporation repurchased $635 million 
(US$473 million) aggregate principal amount of its outstanding 
4% Convertible Notes for an aggregate cash repurchase price of 
$778 million (US$579 million), including accrued interest.  The 
Corporation recorded a $14 million loss on debt settlement 
related to this repurchase. As at December 31, 2023, $363 million 
(US$274 million) aggregate principal amount of Convertible Notes 
remains outstanding (US$274 million at December 31, 2022). 

(c) Government of Canada unsecured credit facility to support 
customer refunds of non-refundable tickets. The facility has 
a seven-year term maturing April 2028 with a stated annual 
interest rate of 1.211%, with the balance due on maturity. The 
carrying value of the debt was recognized at inception using 
an effective interest rate of 4.90%. The difference accretes the 
carrying value of the underlying debt upwards to its face value 
using the effective interest rate method.   

The debt and equity instruments issued under the financing 
agreement with the Government of Canada were measured at 
fair value at inception. The difference between fair value and 
proceeds received was recognized for accounting purposes as 
a government grant. The deferred grant income recorded at 
the inception of the agreement and taking into account the 
amounts drawn under the ticket refund facility up to December 
31, 2021, was $138 million. This deferred grant income reflects 
the aggregate net fair value adjustments of the ticket refund 
facility, the shares issued and the vested warrants (which were 
purchased and cancelled with settlement completed in January 
2022), and is being amortized into Other revenues on a straight 
line basis over three years. The amortization period was based on 
the Corporation’s approximation of the expected timing of the 
costs for which the grant is intended to compensate. During 2023, 
grant income of $50 million (2022 – $50 million) was recognized 
in Other revenues. 

(d) In August 2021, Air Canada completed a private offering 
of $2.0 billion of 4.625% senior secured notes due 2029 (the 
“Canadian Dollar Notes”) and US$1.2 billion of 3.875% senior 
secured notes due 2026 (the “US Dollar Notes”, and together 

116   |

ANNUAL REPORT 2023The Corporation has recorded Interest expense as follows: 

(Canadian dollars in millions)

Interest on debt

Interest on lease liabilities

Air Canada aircraft

Regional aircraft

Land and buildings 

Interest expense

2023

2022

$

791

$

748

85

45

23

85

56

20

$ 944

$ 909

The consolidated statement of operations includes the following amounts related to leases which have not been recorded as right-of-
use assets and lease liabilities.

(Canadian dollars in millions)

Short-term leases 

Variable lease payments not included in lease liabilities

Expense related to leases (included in Other operating expenses)

2023

2022

$

$

25

43

68

$

$

17

39

56

Total cash outflows for payments on lease liabilities was $679 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 (2022 – $673 million), of 
which $526 million was for principal repayments (2022 – $512 million).

Maturity Analysis
Principal and interest repayment requirements as at December 31, 2023 on Long-term debt and lease liabilities are as follows. U.S. 
dollar amounts are converted using the December 31, 2023 closing rate of CDN$1.3243.

(Canadian dollars in millions) 

2024

2025

2026

2027

2028

Thereafter

Total

Principal

Long-term debt obligations(1)

$

Air Canada aircraft

Regional aircraft

Land and buildings

Lease liabilities

359

337

144

26

507

$ 1,092

$ 2,337

$ 1,032

$ 4,222

$ 2,631

$ 11,673

320

138

27

485

260

50

27

337

211

40

28

279

144

39

27

210

105

300

314

719

1,377

711

449

2,537

Total long-term debt and lease liabilities

$

866

$ 1,577

$ 2,674 $ 1,311

$ 4,432

$ 3,350 $ 14,210

(Canadian dollars in millions) 

2024

2025

2026

2027

2028

Thereafter

Total

Interest

Long-term debt obligations(1)

$

630

$

604

$

546

$

451

$

323

$

119

$ 2,673

Air Canada aircraft

Regional aircraft

Land and buildings

Lease liabilities

71

35

24

130

54

26

22

102

39

20

21

80

26

18

20

64

16

16

18

50

7

55

220

282

213

170

325

708

Total long-term debt and lease liabilities

$

760 $

706

$

626

$

515

$

373

$

401

$ 3,381

(1)  Assumes the principal balance of the convertible notes, $363 million (US$274 million), remains unconverted and includes estimated interest payable until maturity in 2025. The full principal balance of $1,273 million for 

the unsecured credit facility is included and the carrying value is described in Note 8(c).

|   117

ANNUAL REPORT 2023Principal repayments in the table above exclude discounts and transaction costs of $130 million which are offset against Long-term 
debt and lease liabilities in the consolidated statement of financial position.

Cash Flows from Financing Activities
Information on the change in liabilities for which cash flows have been classified as financing activities in the statement of cash flows is 
presented below. 

Jan. 1,  
2023

Cash Flows

Non-Cash Changes

Dec. 31, 
2023

(Canadian dollars 
in millions)

Borrowings

Repayments

Long-term debt 

$ 13,445

$

84

$ (1,926)

$

Financing 
fees

Foreign 
exchange 
adjustments

Amortization 
of financing 
fees and other 
adjustments

New lease 
liabilities 
(new and 
modified 
contracts)

-

-

-

-

-

$

(208)

$

60

$

(34)

(17)

-

(51)

-

-

-

-

-

87

(35)

24

76

$ 11,455

1,377

711

449

2,537

-

(1)

-

48

-

(130)

1,667

917

454

3,038

(177)

-

-

-

-

-

(343)

(154)

(29)

(526)

$ 16,306

$

84

$ (2,452)

$

(1)

$

(259)

$

108

$

76

$ 13,862

(Canadian dollars 
in millions)

Borrowings

Repayments

Long-term debt 

$ 13,568

$

202

$ (1,302)

$

Jan. 1,  
2022

Cash Flows

Non-Cash Changes

Dec. 31, 
2022

Financing 
fees

Foreign 
exchange 
adjustments

Amortization 
of financing 
fees and other 
adjustments

New lease 
liabilities 
(new and 
modified 
contracts)

1,792

981

406

3,179

(224)

-

-

-

-

-

(313)

(172)

(27)

(512)

-

(6)

$

-

-

-

-

-

645

122

67

1

190

-

$

332

$

-

-

-

-

-

66

41

74

181

$ 13,445

1,667

917

454

3,038

53

-

(177)

$ 16,523

$

202

$ (1,814)

$

(6)

$

835

$

385

$

181

$ 16,306

Air Canada aircraft 

Regional aircraft 

Land and buildings 

Lease liabilities

Unamortized debt 
issuance costs and 
other adjustments

Total liabilities from 
financing activities 

Air Canada aircraft 

Regional aircraft 

Land and buildings 

Lease liabilities

Unamortized debt 
issuance costs and 
other adjustments

Total liabilities from 
financing activities 

118   |

ANNUAL REPORT 20239

Pensions and Other Benefit Liabilities

The Corporation maintains several defined benefit and defined contribution pension plans, as well as other post-retirement and post-
employment benefit plans. 

The Corporation is the administrator and sponsoring employer of eight domestic registered plans (“Domestic Registered Plans”) with 
defined benefit commitments registered under the Pension Benefits Standard Act, 1985 (Canada). The defined benefit components 
of the Domestic Registered Plans are closed to new members, except for the hybrid component of three plans which are open to new 
members. The Corporation also has a U.S. plan, a UK plan and a Japan plan, which are international defined benefit plans covering 
members in those countries. In addition, the Corporation maintains a number of supplementary pension plans which are not registered. 
The defined benefit pension plans provide benefits upon retirement, termination or death based on the member’s years of service and 
final average earnings for a specified period. Benefit payments are from trustee-administered funds, however there are also a number 
of unfunded plans where the Corporation meets the benefit payment obligation as it falls due. Plan assets held in trusts are governed 
by regulations. The governance of the plans, overseeing all aspects of the plans including investment decisions and contributions, lies 
primarily with the Corporation. The Human Resources, Compensation and Pension Committee, a committee of the Board of Directors, 
assists in the monitoring and oversight of the plans to ensure pension liabilities are appropriately funded, pension assets are prudently 
invested, risk is managed at an acceptable level and retirement benefits are administered in a proper and effective manner.

Other employee benefits include health, life and disability. These benefits consist of both post-employment and post-retirement 
benefits. The post-employment benefits relate to disability benefits available to eligible active employees, while the post-retirement 
benefits are comprised of health care and life insurance benefits available to eligible retired employees. 

Pension Plan Cash Funding Obligations
As at January 1, 2023, the aggregate solvency surplus in the Domestic Registered Plans was $4.6 billion. The next required valuation 
to be made as at January 1, 2024 will be completed in the first half of 2024. With the Corporation’s Domestic Registered Plans in a 
solvency surplus position as at January 1, 2023, past service contributions were not required in 2023. In addition, in accordance with 
legislation and applicable plan rules, the excess over 105% on a solvency basis can be used to reduce current service contributions under 
the defined benefit component or to fund the employer contribution to a defined contribution component within the same pension 
plan. Based on that, and including the international and supplemental plans, the total employer pension funding contributions during 
2023 amounted to $61 million ($86 million employer contribution net of $25 million of surplus used to fund employer contribution in 
defined contribution components of the same plans). Pension funding obligations for 2024 are expected to be $101 million. 

Benefit Obligations and Plan Assets
These consolidated financial statements include all the assets and liabilities of all Corporation-sponsored plans. The amounts recorded 
in the statement of financial position are as follows: 

(Canadian dollars in millions)

Non-current assets

Pension assets

Current liabilities

Pension Benefits

Other Employee  
Future Benefits

Total

2023

2022

2023

2022

2023

2022

$ 2,588

$ 2,444

$

-

$

-

$ 2,588

$ 2,444

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

-

-

65

62

65

62

Non-current liabilities 

Pension and other benefit liabilities 

842

825

1,033

945

1,875

1,770

Net benefit obligations (assets)

$ (1,746)

$ (1,619)

$ 1,098

$ 1,007

$ (648)

$ (612)

The current portion of the net benefit obligation represents an estimate of other employee future benefits claims to be paid 
during 2024. 

|   119

ANNUAL REPORT 2023The following table presents financial information related to the changes in the pension and other post-employment benefits plans:

(Canadian dollars in millions)

Change in benefit obligations

Benefit obligations at beginning of year

Current service cost

Past service cost 

Interest cost

Employees’ contributions

Benefits paid

Remeasurements:

Experience loss (gain)

Loss (gain) from change in demographic assumptions

Loss (gain) from change in financial assumptions

Foreign exchange loss (gain)

Total benefit obligations

Change in plan assets

Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year

Return on plan assets, excluding amounts included in Net financing expense

Interest income

Employer contributions

Employees’ contributions

Benefits paid

Administrative expenses paid from plan assets

Foreign exchange gain (loss)

Total plan assets

(Surplus) deficit at end of year

Asset ceiling / additional minimum funding liability

Net benefit obligations (assets)

Pension Benefits

Other Employee  
Future Benefits

2023

2022

2023

2022

$ 16,927

$ 22,051

$ 1,007

$ 1,463

162

-

879

73

242

12

750

71

32

(2)

53

-

41

-

45

-

(1,038)

(1,045)

(46)

(50)

5

-

10

(5)

1,297

(5,149)

4

(10)

(19)

-

76

(3)

18,309

16,927

1,098

21,378

373

1,105

61

73

26,666

(5,284)

923

70

71

(1,038)

(1,045)

(8)

5

(9)

(14)

21,949

21,378

-

-

-

46

-

(46)

-

-

-

(136)

-

(368)

12

1,007

-

-

-

50

-

(50)

-

-

-

(3,640)

(4,451)

1,098

1,007

1,894

2,832

-

-

$ (1,746)

$ (1,619)

$ 1,098

$ 1,007

The actual return on plan assets was a gain of $1,478 million (2022 – $4,361 million loss). 

Plan assets include an annuity contract for the UK plan defined benefit pension obligation. 

120   |

ANNUAL REPORT 2023The pension benefit deficit of only those plans that are not fully funded is as follows:

(Canadian dollars in millions)

Domestic Registered Plans 

International plans

Supplementary plans

2023

2022

$

7

53

782

$

2

57

766

$ 842

$ 825

The weighted average duration of the defined benefit obligation is 12.7 years (2022 – 12.5 years).

Pension and Other Employee Future Benefit Expense
The Corporation has recorded net defined benefit pension and other employee future benefits expense as follows: 

(Canadian dollars in millions)

Consolidated Statement of Operations

Components of cost

Current service cost

Past service cost

Administrative and other expenses

Actuarial losses (gains), including foreign exchange

Total cost recognized in Wages, salaries and benefits

Net interest relating to employee benefits in Non-operating-other

Total cost recognized in statement of operations

Consolidated Other Comprehensive (Income) Loss

Remeasurements:

Experience loss (gain), including foreign exchange

Loss (gain) from change in demographic assumptions

Loss (gain) from change in financial assumptions

Return on plan assets 

Change in asset ceiling

Pension Benefits

Other Employee  
Future Benefits

2023

2022

2023

2022

$

162

$

242

$

-

8

-

$

$

$

170

(78)

92

$

$

$

12

9

-

263

(70)

193

$

$

$

4

-

1,297

(395)

(1,085)

14

(5)

(5,149)

5,138

492

32

(2)

-

(9)

21

53

74

(14)

-

75

-

-

$

41

$

$

$

-

-

(32)

9

46

55

(96)

-

(363)

-

-

Total cost (income) recognized in OCI

$ (179)

$

490

$

61

$ (459)

|   121

ANNUAL REPORT 2023The funding of employee benefits as compared to the expense recorded in the consolidated statement of operations is summarized in 
the table below.

(Canadian dollars in millions)

2023

2022

Net defined pension and other future employee benefits expense recorded in the consolidated 
statement of operations

Wages, salaries and benefits 

Net interest relating to employee benefit liabilities 

Employee benefit funding by Air Canada 

Pension benefits

Other employee benefits

Employee benefit funding less than expense

Composition of Defined Benefit Pension Plan Assets 

Domestic Registered Plans

The composition of the Domestic Registered Plan assets and the target allocation are the following:

$

191

$

272

(25)

(24)

$

166

$ 248

$

61

46

$

70

50

$

107

$

120

$

59

$

128

Fixed income investments

Canadian equities

Foreign equities

Alternative investments

2023

2022

Target 
Allocation

62%

2%

3%

33%

100%

64%

2%

3%

31%

100%

60%

2%

3%

35%

100%

For the Domestic Registered Plan assets, approximately 67% of assets as of December 31, 2023 have a quoted market price in an active 
market. Assets that do not have a quoted market price in an active market are mainly investments in privately held entities. The asset 
composition in the table represents the allocation of plan assets to each asset type. 

Included in plan assets, for determining the net benefit obligation for accounting purposes, are 17,646,765 (2022 – 17,646,765) shares 
of Air Canada which were issued to a trust in 2009 in connection with pension funding agreements reached with all of the Corporation’s 
Canadian-based unions. The trust arrangement provides that proceeds of any sale of the trust shares will be retained and applied to 
reduce future pension solvency deficits, if any should materialize. With the Corporation’s Domestic Registered Plans now in a surplus 
position on a solvency basis, the accounting rules prevent the recognition of the value of the shares held in trust as part of the pension 
assets. The shares held in trust have a fair value of $330 million at December 31, 2023 (2022 – $342 million), although after giving 
effect to the asset ceiling, the recognized accounting value of the trust asset is nil. 

122   |

ANNUAL REPORT 2023•  The fixed income portfolio is oriented toward long-term 

investment grade securities rated “BBB” or higher. With the 
exception of Government of Canada securities, or a province 
thereof, or the U.S. Government, in which the plan may 
invest the entire fixed income allocation, these investments 
are required to be diversified among individual securities and 
sectors.

Derivatives are permitted provided that they are used for 
managing a particular risk (including interest rate risk related 
to pension liabilities) or to create exposures to given markets 
and currencies and that counterparties have a minimum 
credit rating of A. The Corporation manages interest rate risk 
related to its actuarial liabilities through a combination of 
financial instruments including, but not limited to, bonds, bond 
repurchase and reverse repurchase agreements, bond forwards, 
bond futures and interest rate swaps. As at December 31, 
2023, approximately 85% of Air Canada’s Domestic Registered 
Defined Benefit Plans’ assets were invested in fixed income 
instruments to mitigate a significant portion of the interest rate 
(discount rate) risk. Counterparty credit risk associated with 
such financial instruments is mitigated by receiving collateral 
from counterparties based on collateralization agreements, 
as well as by monitoring the counterparties’ credit ratings and 
ensuring compliance with the investment policy. The fair value 
of these derivative instruments is included in the Bonds in the 
asset composition table and is not a significant component of the 
aggregate bond fair values of the portfolio.

The trusts for the supplemental plans are invested 50% in a mix 
of indexed equity investments and alternative investments, in 
accordance with their investment policies, with the remaining 
50% held by the Canada Revenue Agency as a refundable tax, in 
accordance with tax legislation. Due to unrealized gains and losses 
on invested assets, the market value of assets could deviate from 
this allocation from time to time.

In November 2021, Air Canada announced that its Canadian 
unions and the Air Canada Pionairs agreed in principle to permit 
certain other uses of the proceeds of the shares discussed above. 
If all conditions are met, shares in the trust will be gradually sold 
over a period of up to 15 years with the net proceeds from the 
sales used to make lump sum payments to Canadian pensioners 
and to fund voluntary separation packages for senior unionized 
employees and non-executive employees. There are several 
conditions to the completion of the agreement and effecting such 
sales and payments. These include the conclusion of definitive 
documentation, and the receipt of all required regulatory and 
other approvals which remain outstanding. While the satisfaction 
of the conditions is being pursued, there can be no assurance 
that these or any other conditions will be satisfied. The financial 
statements do not reflect any accounting consequences related to 
this, as these would only be determined upon the conditions and 
required approvals being met.

For the Domestic Registered Defined Benefit Plans, the 
investments conform to the Statement of Investment Policies 
and Procedures of the Air Canada Pension Funds. As permitted 
under the investment policy, the actual asset mix may deviate 
from the target allocation from time to time. The investment 
return objective is to achieve a total annualized rate of return 
that exceeds by a minimum of 1.0% before investment fees on 
average over the long term (i.e. 10 years) the total annualized 
return that could have been earned by passively managing the 
Liability Replicating Portfolio. The Liability Replicating Portfolio, 
which is referenced to widely used Canadian fixed income indices 
(FTSE Canada), closely matches the characteristics of the pension 
liabilities.

Recognizing the importance of surplus risk management, 
Air Canada manages the Domestic Registered Defined Benefit 
Plans in an effort to mitigate surplus risk (defined as the difference 
between asset value and pension liability value), which is 
considered to be the key risk to be minimized and monitored. In 
addition, the objective of the investment strategy is to invest the 
plan assets in a prudent and diversified manner to mitigate the 
risk of price fluctuation of asset classes and individual investments 
within those asset classes and to combine those asset classes and 
individual investments in an effort to reduce overall risk.

In addition to the broad asset allocation, as summarized in the 
asset allocation section above, the following policies apply to 
individual asset classes invested within the pension funds: 

•  The broad equity portfolio (Canadian and foreign equities) 
is required to be diversified among regions, industries and 
economic sectors. Limitations are placed on the allocation to 
any individual security.

•  Alternative investments are investments in non-publicly 

traded securities and in non-traditional asset classes. They 
may comprise, but are not limited to, investments in real 
estate, agriculture, timber, private equity, venture capital, 
infrastructure, emerging markets debt, high yield bonds and 
commodity futures. The Alternative investments portfolio 
is required to be diversified by asset class, strategy, sector 
and geography.

|   123

ANNUAL REPORT 2023Risks
Through its defined benefit pension plans, the Corporation is 
exposed to a number of risks, the most significant of which are 
detailed below:

Assumptions
Management is required to make estimates about actuarial and 
financial assumptions to determine the cost and related liabilities 
of the Corporation’s employee future benefits. 

Asset risk

Discount Rate

Asset risk is the risk that the fair value of future cash flows of a 
financial instrument will fluctuate because of changes in market 
price. Asset risk comprises currency risk, credit risk, and other 
price risk. Currency risk is the risk that the fair value or future 
cash flows of a financial instrument will fluctuate because of 
changes in foreign exchange rates. This risk is mitigated through 
implementation of hedging strategies. Credit risk is the risk that 
one party to a financial instrument will cause a financial loss for 
the other party by failing to discharge an obligation. This risk 
is mitigated by receiving collateral from counterparties based 
on collateralization agreements and by monitoring the issuers’ 
credit risk. Other price risk is the risk the fair value or future cash 
flows of a financial instrument will fluctuate because of changes 
in market prices (other than those arising from currency risk), 
whether those changes are caused by factors specific to the 
individual financial instrument or its issuer, or factors affecting 
all similar financial instruments traded in the market. This risk is 
mitigated through proper diversification of plan assets.

The discount rate used to determine the pension obligation was 
determined by reference to market interest rates on corporate 
bonds rated “AA” or better with cash flows that approximate the 
timing and amount of expected benefit payments.

Future Increases in Compensation

Estimates surrounding assumptions of future increases in 
compensation are based upon the current compensation policies, 
the Corporation’s long-range plans, labour and employment 
agreements and economic forecasts. 

Mortality Assumptions

Mortality tables and improvement scales issued by the Canadian 
Institute of Actuaries (revised in 2014) were taken into account in 
selecting management’s best estimate mortality assumption used 
to calculate the accrued benefit obligation as at December 31, 
2023 and 2022.

Interest rate risk

Interest rate risk is the risk that the fair value of future cash flows 
of a financial instrument will fluctuate because of changes in 
market interest rates. A decrease in corporate and/or government 
bond yields will increase plan liabilities, which will be partially 
offset by an increase in the value of the plans’ bond holdings. 
As at December 31, 2023, approximately 85% of Air Canada’s 
Domestic Registered Defined Benefit Plans’ assets were invested 
in fixed income instruments to mitigate a significant portion of 
the interest rate risk (discount rate risk). 

Funding risk

Adverse changes in the value of plan assets or in interest rates, 
and therefore in the discount rate used to value liabilities, could 
have a significant impact on pension plan solvency valuations and 
future cash funding requirements. 

Life expectancy

The majority of the plans’ obligations are to provide benefits for 
the life of the member, so increases in life expectancy will result in 
an increase in the plans’ liabilities. 

124   |

ANNUAL REPORT 2023The weighted average assumptions used to determine the Corporation’s accrued benefit obligations and cost are as follows:

Discount rate used to determine:

Net interest on the net defined benefit obligation for the  
year ended December 31

Service cost for the year ended December 31

Accrued benefit obligation as at December 31

Rate of future increases in compensation used to determine:

Accrued benefit cost and service cost for the  
year ended December 31

Accrued benefit obligation as at December 31

Pension Benefits

Other Employee  
Future Benefits

2023

2022

2023

2022

5.28%

3.20%

5,28%

3.20%

5.28%

4.64%

3.37%

5.28%

5.28%

4.64%

3.37%

5.28%

2.75%

2.50%

2.75%

2.75%

Not 
applicable

Not 
applicable

Not 
applicable

Not 
applicable

Sensitivity Analysis
Sensitivity analysis is based on changing one assumption while holding all other assumptions constant. In practice, this may be unlikely 
to occur, and changes in some of the assumptions may be correlated. When calculating the sensitivity of the defined benefit obligation 
to variations in significant actuarial assumptions, the same method (present value of the defined benefit obligation calculated with 
the projected unit credit method at the end of the reporting period) has been applied as for calculating the liability recognized in the 
consolidated statement of financial position.

Sensitivity analysis on 2023 pension expense, net interest relating to pension benefit liabilities and pension obligation, based on 
different actuarial assumptions with respect to discount rate is set out below. The effects on each pension plan of a change in an 
assumption are weighted proportionately to the total plan obligation to determine the total impact for each assumption presented. 

(Canadian dollars in millions)

Discount rate on obligation assumption 

Pension expense

Net interest relating to pension benefit liabilities

Increase (decrease) in pension obligation

0.25 Percentage Point

Decrease

Increase

$

$

12

(1)

11

$ (11)

-

$ (11)

$ 591

$ (573)

The increase (decrease) in the pension obligation for a 0.25 percentage point change in the discount rate relates to the gross amount 
of the pension liabilities and is before the impact of any change in plan assets. As at December 31, 2023, approximately 85% of 
Air Canada’s pension assets were invested in fixed income instruments to mitigate a significant portion of the interest rate (discount 
rate) risk. 

An increase of one year in life expectancy would increase the pension benefit obligation by $431 million.

Assumed health care cost trend rates impact the amounts reported for the health care plans. A 4.50% annual rate of increase in the 
per capita cost of covered health care benefits was assumed for 2023 and thereafter (2022 – 4.75% and decrease gradually to 4.5% by 
2023). A one percentage point increase in assumed health care trend rates would have increased the total of current service and interest 
costs by $5 million and the obligation by $62 million. A one percentage point decrease in assumed health care trend rates would have 
decreased the total of current service and interest costs by $4 million and the obligation by $64 million. 

A 0.25 percentage point decrease in discount rate for other employee future benefits would have increased the total of current and 
interest costs by less than $1 million and the obligation by $36 million. A 0.25 percentage point increase in discount rate would have 
decreased the total of current and interest costs by less than $1 million and the obligation by $34 million.

|   125

ANNUAL REPORT 2023 
Defined Contribution Pension Plans
Certain of the Corporation’s management, administrative and 
unionized employees participate in a defined contribution 
pension plan, a defined contribution component of a plan which 
also includes a defined benefit component or a multi-employer 
plan which are accounted for as defined contribution plans. The 
Corporation contributes an amount expressed as a percentage of 
employees’ contributions with such percentage varying by group 
and for some groups, based on the number of years of service. As 
permitted by legislation and applicable plan rules, surplus in the 
defined benefit component can be used to cover the employer 
contributions in the defined contribution component of such plan. 
As such, $25 million of surplus in the defined benefit components 
of the Domestic Registered Plans was used to cover the employer 
contributions in the defined contribution components during 
2023 (2022 – $19 million).

The Corporation’s expense for these pension plans amounted 
to $85 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 (2022 – 
$61 million). Net of the surplus in the defined benefit components 
which can be used to fund the employer contribution to a defined 
contribution component within the same pension plan, expected 
total employer contributions for 2024 are $72 million.

126   |

ANNUAL REPORT 202310

Provisions for Other Liabilities

The following table provides a continuity schedule of all recorded provisions. Current provisions are recorded in Accounts payable and 
accrued liabilities.

(Canadian dollars in millions)

Maintenance (a)

Asset retirement (b)

Litigation

Total provisions

At December 31, 2022

Current

Non-current

Provisions arising during the 
year

Amounts utilized

Changes in estimated costs

Accretion expense

Foreign exchange loss (gain)

At December 31, 2023

Current

Non-current

$

$

$

$

$

$

36

1,352

1,388

162

(161)

3

55

(33)

1,414

187

1,227

1,414

$

$

$

$

$

$

-

36

36

-

-

(8)

1

-

29

-

29

29

$

$

$

$

$

$

41

-

41

4

(3)

(4)

-

-

38

38

-

38

$

$

$

$

$

$

77

1,388

1,465

166

(164)

(9)

56

(33)

1,481

225

1,256

1,481

(a)  Maintenance provisions relate to the provision for the costs to meet the contractual return conditions on aircraft under operating 
leases. The provision relates to leases with expiry dates ranging from 2024 to 2035 with the average remaining lease term of 
approximately 3 years. The maintenance provisions take into account current costs of maintenance events, estimates of inflation 
surrounding these costs as well as assumptions surrounding utilization of the related aircraft. Assuming the aggregate cost for 
return conditions increases by 5%, holding all other factors constant, there would be a cumulative balance sheet adjustment to 
increase the provision by $72 million at December 31, 2023 and an increase to maintenance expense in 2024 of approximately 
$9 million. Expected future cash flows to settle the obligation are discounted. If the discount rates were to increase by 1%, 
holding all other factors constant, there would be a cumulative balance sheet adjustment to decrease the provision by $28 million 
at December 31, 2023. An equivalent but opposite movement in the discount rate would result in a similar impact in the 
opposite direction. 

(b)  Under the terms of certain land and facilities leases, the Corporation has an obligation to restore the land to vacant condition 

at the end of the lease and to rectify any environmental damage for which it is responsible. The related leases expire over terms 
ranging from 2024 to 2078. These provisions are based on numerous assumptions including the overall cost of decommissioning 
and remediation and the selection of alternative decommissioning and remediation approaches. The non-current provision is 
recorded in Other long-term liabilities.

|   127

ANNUAL REPORT 202311

Income Taxes

Income Tax Recovery (Expense) 
Income tax recorded in the consolidated statement of operations is presented below.

(Canadian dollars in millions)

Current income tax recovery (expense) 

Deferred income tax recovery (expense) 

Income tax recovery (expense) 

2023

2022

$

$

17

47

64

$ (47)

(129)

$ (176)

The income tax recovery (expense) differs from the amount that would have resulted from applying the statutory income tax rate to 
income before income tax expense as follows:

(Canadian dollars in millions)

Income (loss) before income taxes

Statutory income tax rate based on combined federal and provincial rates

Income tax (expense) recovery based on statutory tax rates

Effects of:

Non-taxable (non-deductible) portion of capital gains (losses)

Recognition of (unrecognized) deferred income tax assets

(Non-deductible) non-taxable  items

Other

Income tax recovery (expense) 

2023

2022

$ 2,212

$(1,524)

26.46%

26.46%

(585)

403

26

638

(23)

8

64

$

(80)

(528)

29

-

$ (176)

The applicable statutory tax rate is 26.46% (2022 – 26.46%). The Corporation’s applicable tax rate is the Canadian combined tax rate 
applicable in the jurisdiction in which the Corporation operates. The income tax recovery in the consolidated statement of operations 
differs from the amount that would have resulted from applying the statutory income tax rate to the income (loss) before income taxes 
in the consolidated statement of operations primarily due to recognizing only certain of the deferred income tax assets.

Income tax recorded in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income is presented below.

(Canadian dollars in millions)

Remeasurements on employee benefit liabilities 

- current income tax (expense) recovery 

- deferred income tax (expense) recovery 

Income tax (expense) recovery 

2023

2022

$

(3)

(45)

$ (48)

$

$

8

138

146

128   |

ANNUAL REPORT 2023The income tax differs from the amount that would have resulted from applying the statutory income tax rate to other comprehensive 
income before income tax expense as follows:

(Canadian dollars in millions)

Other comprehensive income (loss) before income taxes

Statutory income tax rate based on combined federal and provincial rates

Income tax (expense) recovery  based on statutory tax rates

Non-deductible portion of capital loss

(Unrecognized) recognition of deferred income tax assets

Other

Income tax (expense) recovery 

2023

2022

$

107

$

(32)

26.46%

26.46%

(28)

(1)

(19)

-

9

-

124

13

$ (48)

$

146

Deferred Income Tax
Deferred income tax assets are recognized only to the extent that it is probable that future taxable income will be available to realize 
them. In making this assessment, consideration is given to available positive and negative evidence and relevant assumptions, including, 
historical financial results, and expectations relating to future taxable income, the overall business environment, and industry-
wide trends.

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, there is considerable negative evidence relating to losses incurred in the prior years. Such 
negative evidence currently outweighs the positive evidence and, accordingly, net deferred tax assets are not being recognized. The 
future tax deductions underlying the unrecognized deferred income tax assets of $1,504 million remain available for use in the future 
to reduce taxable income. The deferred income tax expense recorded in Other comprehensive income (loss) related to remeasurements 
on employee benefit liabilities is offset by a deferred income tax recovery which was recorded through the statement of operations. 
As such, a deferred income tax recovery of $47 million (2022 – deferred income tax expense of $129 million) was recorded for the year, 
which is partially offsetting the deferred income tax expense of $45 million (2022 – deferred income tax recovery of $138 million) 
recorded in Other comprehensive income (loss).  

Deferred tax assets and liabilities of $50 million are recorded net as a non-current deferred income tax asset and deferred tax liabilities 
of $73 million are recorded as a non-current deferred income tax liability on the consolidated statement of financial position. Certain 
intangible assets with nominal tax cost and a carrying value of $275 million have indefinite lives and accordingly, the associated 
deferred income tax liability of $73 million (2022 – $73 million) is not expected to reverse until the assets are disposed of, become 
impaired or amortizable and as a result is included as part of the non-current deferred income tax liability.

|   129

ANNUAL REPORT 2023The significant components of deferred income tax assets and liabilities were as follows:

(Canadian dollars in millions)

Deferred income tax assets

Non-capital losses

Accounting provisions not currently deductible for tax

Lease liabilities

Deferred income tax liabilities

Post-employment obligations – pension

Property, equipment, technology-based and other intangible assets

Indefinite-lived intangible assets

Other

Net recognized deferred income tax liabilities

Balance sheet presentation

Deferred income tax assets

Deferred income tax liabilities

Net recognized deferred income tax liabilities

2023

2022

$

1,927

$ 1,693

7

783

7

934

2,717

2,634

(460)

(2,135)

(73)

(72)

(423) 

(2,103)

(73)

(60)

(2,740)

(2,659)

$

(23)

$

(25)

50

(73)

(23)

$

48

(73)

(25)

$

The following table presents the variation of the components of deferred income tax balances:

(Canadian dollars in millions)

January 1, 2023

2023 income 
statement movement

2023 OCI movement

December 31, 2023

Non-capital losses

$ 1,693

$

234

$

7

934

(423)

(2,103)

(73)

(60)

-

(151)

8

(32)

-

(12)

-

-

(45)

-

-

-

$

1,927

7

783

(460)

(2,135)

(73)

(72)

$

(25)

$

47

$

(45)

$

(23)

Accounting provisions not currently 
deductible for tax

Lease liabilities

Post-employment obligations – pension

Property, equipment, technology-based 
and other intangible assets

Indefinite-lived intangible assets

Other deferred tax liabilities

Total recognized deferred income 
tax assets (liabilities)

130   |

ANNUAL REPORT 2023(Canadian dollars in millions)

January 1, 2022

2022 income 
statement movement

2022 OCI movement

December 31, 2022

Non-capital losses

$ 1,502

$

191

$

Accounting provisions not currently 
deductible for tax

Lease liabilities

Maintenance provisions

Post-employment obligations – pension

Property, equipment, technology-based 
and other intangible assets

Indefinite-lived intangible assets

Other deferred tax liabilities

Total recognized deferred income 
tax assets (liabilities)

6

978

215

(593)

(2,030)

(73)

(39)

1

(44)

(215)

32

(73)

-

(21)

-

-

-

-

138

-

-

-

$ 1,693

7

934

-

(423)

(2,103)

(73)

(60)

$

(34)

$ (129)

$

138

$

(25)

At December 31, 2023, the Corporation has deductible temporary differences of an operating and a capital nature for which no deferred 
income tax asset has been recognized at this time as the ability to utilize these tax attributes is limited to future taxable income and 
capital gains. Net capital losses do not have an expiry date.

The following are the temporary differences and tax loss carryforwards for which no deferred income tax assets could be recognized:

(Canadian dollars in millions)

Unrecognized non-capital losses carryforwards

Post-employment obligations - other employee future benefits

Accounting provisions not currently deductible for tax

Maintenance provision

Deferred revenue

Unrecognized net capital losses carryforwards

Unrealized foreign exchange losses 

Total unrecognized net temporary differences

Deferred income tax rate based on combined federal and provincial rates

Unrecognized recoverable taxes

Total unrecognized net deferred income tax assets

2023

2022

$

1,507

$ 3,820

1,104

427

1,414

754

131

202

1,009

307

1,388

933

118

309

$ 5,539

$ 7,884

26.45%

26.45%

$ 1,465

$ 2,085

39

38

$ 1,504

$ 2,123

|   131

ANNUAL REPORT 2023The following are the Federal non-capital tax losses expiry dates:

(Canadian dollars in millions)

2033

2034

2036

2037

2038

2040

2041

2042

Non-capital losses carryforwards

Cash income taxes paid in 2023 by the Corporation were $45 million (2022 – $67 million). 

Tax Losses

$

1

3

3

2

2

2,791

4,260

1,630

$

8,692

132   |

ANNUAL REPORT 202312

Share Capital

At January 1, 2022

Shares issued on the exercise of stock options

Shares issued on settlement of restricted share units

At December 31, 2022

Shares issued on the exercise of stock options

At December 31, 2023

The issued and outstanding shares of Air Canada, along with the potential shares, were as follows:

Issued and outstanding

Class A variable voting shares

Class B voting shares

Total issued and outstanding

Potential shares

Convertible notes

Stock options

Total outstanding and potentially issuable shares

Number  
of shares

Value 

(Canadian dollars 
in millions)

357,841,857

$ 2,735

350,535

169,866

358,362,258

107,028

6

2

2,743

1

358,469,286

$ 2,744

2023

2022

82,887,375

72,431,001

275,581,911

285,931,257

358,469,286

358,362,258

Note 8

Note 13

17,856,599

17,856,599

6,642,516

5,304,745

382,968,401

381,523,602

Shares
As at December 31, 2023, the shares issuable by Air Canada consist of an unlimited number of Class A Variable Voting Shares (“Variable 
Voting Shares”) and an unlimited number of Class B Voting Shares (“Voting Shares”). The two classes of shares have equivalent rights as 
shareholders except for voting rights as explained below.

Variable Voting Shares may only be held, beneficially owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by persons who are not Canadians 
(within the meaning of the Canada Transportation Act). An issued and outstanding Variable Voting Share is converted into one 
Voting Share automatically and without any further act of Air Canada or the holder, if such Variable Voting Share becomes held, 
beneficially owned and controlled, directly or indirectly, otherwise than by way of security only, by a Canadian, as defined in the Canada 
Transportation Act. 

Voting Shares may only be held, beneficially owned and controlled, directly or indirectly, by Canadians. An issued and outstanding 
Voting Share is converted into one Variable Voting Share automatically and without any further act of Air Canada or the holder, if such 
Voting Share becomes held, beneficially owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, otherwise than by way of security only, by a person 
who is not a Canadian. 

Air Canada’s articles provide that holders of Variable Voting Shares are entitled to one vote per share unless (i) the number of Variable 
Voting Shares outstanding, as a percentage of the total number of voting shares of Air Canada exceeds 49% or (ii) the total number 
of votes cast by or on behalf of holders of Variable Voting Shares at any meeting exceeds 49% of the total number of votes that 
may be cast at such meeting. If either of the above noted thresholds would otherwise be surpassed at any time, the vote attached to 
each Variable Voting Share will decrease proportionately such that (i) the Variable Voting Shares as a class do not carry more than 
49% of the aggregate votes attached to all issued and outstanding Voting Shares of Air Canada and (ii) the total number of votes cast 
by or on behalf of holders of Variable Voting Shares at any meeting do not exceed 49% of the votes that may be cast at such meeting. 
Air Canada’s articles also provide for the automatic reduction of the voting rights attached to Variable Voting Shares in the event any of 
the following limits are exceeded. In such event, the votes attributable to Variable Voting Shares will be affected as follows:

•  first, if required, a reduction of the voting rights of any single non-Canadian holder (including a single non-Canadian holder authorized 
to provide an air service) carrying more than 25% of the votes to ensure that such non-Canadian holder never carries more than 25% 
of the votes which holders of Voting Shares cast at any meeting of shareholders;

|   133

ANNUAL REPORT 2023•  second, if required and after giving effect to the first proration set out above, a further proportional reduction of the voting rights 
of all non-Canadian holders authorized to provide an air service to ensure that such non-Canadian holders authorized to provide 
an air service, in the aggregate, never carry more than 25% of the votes which holders of Voting Shares cast at any meeting of 
shareholders; and

•  third, if required and after giving effect to the first two prorations set out above, a proportional reduction of the voting rights for all 
non-Canadian holders as a class to ensure that non-Canadians never carry, in aggregate, more than 49% of the votes which holders 
of Voting Shares cast at any meeting of shareholders.

Shareholder Rights Plan
Under the terms of the shareholder rights plan agreement (the “Rights Plan”), one right (a “Right”) is issued with respect to each share 
of Air Canada issued and outstanding. These Rights would become exercisable only when a person, including any party related to it, 
acquires or announces its intention to acquire 20% or more of the outstanding shares of Air Canada calculated on a combined basis, 
without complying with the “Permitted Bid” provisions of the Rights Plan or, in certain cases, without the approval of the Board. Until 
such time, the Rights are not separable from the shares, are not exercisable and no separate rights certificates are issued. To qualify as a 
“Permitted Bid” under the Rights Plan, a bid must, among other things: (i) be made to all holders of shares, (ii) remain open for a period 
of not less than 105 days (or such shorter minimum period determined in accordance with National Instrument 62-104 – Take-Over Bids 
and Issuer Bids (“NI 62-104”), (iii) provide that no shares shall be taken up unless more than 50% of the then outstanding shares, other 
than the shares held by the person pursuing the acquisition and parties related to it, have been tendered and not withdrawn, and (iv) 
provide that if such 50% condition is satisfied, the bid will be extended for at least 10 days to allow other shareholders to tender.

Following the occurrence of an event which triggers the right to exercise the Rights and subject to the terms and conditions of the 
Rights Plan, each Right would entitle the holders thereof, other than the acquiring person or any related persons, to exercise their Rights 
and purchase from Air Canada two hundred dollars’ worth of shares for one hundred dollars (i.e. at a 50% discount to the market price 
at that time). Upon such exercise, holders of rights beneficially owned and controlled by Qualified Canadians would receive Class B 
Voting Shares and holders of rights beneficially owned or controlled by persons who are not Qualified Canadians would receive Class A 
Variable Voting Shares.

The Rights Plan was renewed at Air Canada’s 2023 annual meeting of shareholders for an additional period of three years from 2023 
to 2026.

Convertible Notes
As described in Note 8, in 2022, the Corporation repurchased and cancelled $635 million (US$473 million) aggregate principal amount 
of its convertible notes. The conversion rate of the convertible notes is 65.1337 shares per US$1,000 principal amount of convertible 
notes, thereby reducing the potentially issuable shares.

134   |

ANNUAL REPORT 202313

Share-Based Compensation

Air Canada Long-Term Incentive Plan
Certain of the Corporation’s employees participate in the Air Canada Long-term Incentive Plan (the “Long-term Incentive Plan”). 
The Long-term Incentive Plan provides for the grant of stock options, performance share units and restricted share units to senior 
management and officers of Air Canada. With respect to the stock options, 19,381,792 shares were initially authorized for issuance 
under the Long-term Incentive Plan of which  3,929,646 remain available for future issuance. The outstanding performance share 
units and restricted share units will generally not result in the issuance of new shares as these share units will be redeemed for shares 
purchased on the secondary market (and not issued from treasury) and/or equivalent cash, at the discretion of the Corporation.

Stock Options
The options to purchase shares granted under the Long-term Incentive Plan have a maximum term of up to ten years and an exercise 
price based on the fair market value of the shares at the time of the grant of the options. Fifty percent of options are time-based and 
vest over four years. The remaining options vest based upon performance conditions, which are based on operating margin (operating 
income over operating revenues) targets established by the Air Canada Board over the same time period. Each option entitles the 
employee to purchase one share at the stated exercise price.

The number of Air Canada stock options granted to employees, the related compensation expense recorded and the assumptions used 
to determine stock-based compensation expense, using the Black-Scholes option valuation model are as follows:

Compensation expense ($ millions)

Number of stock options granted to Air Canada employees

Weighted average fair value per option granted ($)

Aggregated fair value of options granted ($ millions)

Weighted average assumptions:

Share price

Risk-free interest rate

Expected volatility

Dividend yield

Expected option life (years)

$

$

$

$

2023

2022

15 $

16

1,644,782

1,242,544

10.01 $

16 $

11.39

14

19.88 $

24.25

2.81%-4.59% 1.43%-3.39%

58.60%

55.64%

0%

5.25

0%

5.25

Expected volatility was determined at the time of grant using the share price on a historical basis. It reflects the assumption that the 
historical volatility is indicative of future trends, which may not necessarily be the actual outcome. 

|   135

ANNUAL REPORT 2023A summary of the Long-term Incentive Plan option activity is as follows:

Beginning of year

Granted

Exercised

Expired

Forfeited

Outstanding options, end of year

Options exercisable, end of year

2023

2022

Weighted 
Average 
Exercise Price/
Share

Weighted 
Average 
Exercise Price/
Share

Options

$

26.39

4,420,051

$

19.88

10.64

-

23.44

25.10

26.90

$

$

1,242,544

(350,535)

(306)

(7,009)

5,304,745

2,405,704

$

$

25.72

24.25

10.47

12.64

23.80

26.39

25.12

Options

5,304,745

1,644,782

(107,028)

-

(199,983)

6,642,516

3,037,801

The weighted average share price on the date of exercise for options exercised in 2023 was $20.73 (2022 – $20.30).

2023 Outstanding Options

2023 Exercisable Options

Number 
of Options 
Outstanding

68,498

434,869

824,758

828,814

1,141,435

541,757

1,164,354

1,638,031

6,642,516

Weighted 
Average 
Remaining Life 
(Years)

Weighted 
Average 
Exercise Price/
Share

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

9.41

14.86

26.52

33.27

31.16

25.37

24.29

19.88

25.10

$

Number of 
Exercisable 
Options

68,498

434,869

824,758

823,249

563,295

167,411

145,721

10,000

Weighted 
Average 
Exercise Price/
Share

9.41

14.86

26.52

33.20

30.84

25.39

24.29

24.19

3,037,801

$

26.90

2022 Outstanding Options

2022 Exercisable Options

Number 
of Options 
Outstanding

86,327

68,498

451,405

851,506

837,189

1,183,930

583,346

1,242,544

5,304,745

Weighted 
Average 
Remaining Life 
(Years)

Weighted 
Average 
Exercise Price/
Share

1

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

9.34

9.41

14.82

26.53

33.28

30.80

25.35

24.25

Number of 
Exercisable 
Options

86,327

68,498

451,405

846,843

401,914

461,819

88,898

-

Weighted 
Average 
Exercise Price/
Share

9.34

9.41

14.82

26.52

33.26

30.78

25.37

-

$

26.39

2,405,704

$

25.12

Range of Exercise Prices

Expiry Dates

$9.41

$12.83 – $26.40

$22.53 – $27.75

$33.11 – $43.22

$15.35 – $32.42

$23.80 – $26.93

$17.37 – $24.61

$17.61-$24.19

2026

2027

2028

2029

2030

2031

2032

2033

Range of Exercise Prices

Expiry Dates

$9.23 – $9.61

$9.41

$12.83 – $26.40

$22.53 – $27.75

$33.11 – $43.22

$15.35 – $32.42

$23.80 – $26.93

$17.37 – $24.61

2023

2026

2027

2028

2029

2030

2031

2032

136   |

ANNUAL REPORT 2023Performance and Restricted Share Units
The Long-term Incentive Plan also includes performance share units (“PSUs”) and restricted share units (“RSUs”). 75% of PSUs granted 
vest based on the Corporation achieving its cumulative annual earnings target over a three-year period, while 25% of PSUs vest based 
on relative total shareholder returns over the same three-year period. RSUs vest after three years from their date of grant. The PSUs 
and RSUs granted are generally redeemed for Air Canada shares purchased on the secondary market and/or equivalent cash at the 
discretion of the Board of Directors. 

The compensation expense related to PSUs and RSUs in 2023 was $23 million (2022 – $16 million). 

A summary of the Long-term Incentive Plan share unit activity is as follows:

Beginning of year

Granted

Settled

Forfeited

Outstanding share units, end of year

2023

2022

2,891,925

1,840,914

(574,614)

(124,134)

2,197,983

1,316,113

(595,284)

(26,887)

4,034,091

2,891,925

Employee Share Purchase Plan
Eligible employees can participate in the employee share purchase plan under which employees can invest between 2% and 10% of 
their base salary for the purchase of shares on the secondary market. Air Canada will match 33.33% of the contributions made by 
employees. During 2023, the Corporation recorded compensation expense of $21 million (2022 – $9 million, with the plan effective 
June 1, 2022) related to the Employee Share Purchase Plan. 

|   137

ANNUAL REPORT 202314

Earnings (Loss) Per Share

The following table outlines the calculation of basic and diluted loss per share:

(in millions, except per share amounts)

2023

2022

Numerator:

Net income (loss)

Effect of assumed conversion of convertible notes

Remove anti-dilutive impact

Adjusted numerator for diluted earnings (loss) per share

Denominator:

Weighted-average shares

Effect of potential dilutive securities:

Stock options

Convertible notes

Remove anti-dilutive impact

Adjusted denominator for diluted earnings (loss) per share

Basic earnings (loss) per share

Diluted earnings (loss) per share

$

2,276

$ (1,700)

(33)

-

(46)

46

$ 2,243

$ (1,700)

358

-

18

-

376

6.35

5.96

358

-

44

(44)

358

$

$

(4.75)

(4.75)

$

$

The calculation of loss per share is based on whole dollars and not on rounded millions. As a result, the above amounts may not be 
recalculated to the per share amount disclosed above.

Excluded from the 2023 calculation of diluted loss per share were 4,975,000 (2022 – 4,341,000) outstanding options where the 
options’ exercise prices were greater than the average market price of the shares for the year. Outstanding options that had exercise 
prices lower than the average market price of the shares for the year were included in the calculation of diluted loss per share; using the 
treasury stock method, this resulted in less than one million in potential dilutive securities.

138   |

ANNUAL REPORT 202315

Commitments

Capital Commitments and Leases
Capital commitments consist of the future firm aircraft deliveries and commitments related to acquisition of other property and 
equipment. The estimated aggregate cost of aircraft is based on delivery prices that include estimated escalation. U.S. dollar amounts 
are converted using the December 31, 2023 closing rate of CDN$1.3243. Minimum future commitments under these contractual 
arrangements are shown below.  

Capital commitments include the acquisition of 18 Boeing 787-10 aircraft which Air Canada announced in 2023. Deliveries are 
scheduled to begin in the fourth quarter of 2025 with the last aircraft scheduled for delivery in the first quarter of 2027. The purchase 
agreement includes options for 12 additional Boeing 787-10 aircraft. This purchase agreement substitutes for a previously announced 
agreement to purchase two Boeing 777 freighter aircraft and, as a result, Air Canada will no longer take delivery of the two freighters.  

Capital commitments also include the purchase of two Boeing 787-9 aircraft scheduled to be delivered in 2024 and deliveries for the 
remaining 27 firm orders of Airbus A220 aircraft planned between 2024 and 2027.

Also included below are capital commitments relating to the acquisition of 30 extra-long range (XLR) versions of the Airbus A321neo 
aircraft (Airbus A321XLR). Deliveries are scheduled to begin in 2025 with the final aircraft scheduled to arrive in 2029. Of the 30 total 
aircraft, 15 aircraft will be leased and 15 are being acquired under a purchase agreement with Airbus S.A.S that includes purchase rights 
to acquire up to 10 additional aircraft between 2027 and 2031. The amounts related to the periodic lease payments on the 15 leases 
are included for the periods noted. Lease payments related to five Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft expected to be delivered in 2025 are also 
included.

(Canadian dollars in millions)

Capital commitments

2024

2025

2026

2027

2028

Thereafter

Total

$ 2,000

$ 2,204

$ 4,003

$ 1,397

$

790

$ 2,067 $12,461

In 2022, the Corporation announced it had entered into a purchase agreement for 30 ES-30 electric-hybrid aircraft under development 
by Heart Aerospace. Due to the developing design and specifications of the aircraft, the final cost is not yet determinable and not 
included in the table above, however the agreement provides for a price cap. The regional aircraft are expected to enter service in 2028. 

The Corporation leases and subleases certain aircraft and spare engines to its regional carrier, Jazz, which are charged back to 
Air Canada through its capacity purchase agreement with Jazz. These are reported net on the consolidated statement of operations. 
The leases and subleases relate to 15 Mitsubishi CRJ-200 aircraft, 20 Mitsubishi CRJ-900 aircraft, 25 Embraer 175 aircraft, and 13 spare 
engines. The lease and sublease revenue and expense related to these aircraft and engines amount to $119 million in 2023 (2022 – 
$150 million).  

Other Contractual Commitments 
The future minimum non-cancellable commitment for the next 12 months under commercial agreements with regional carriers is 
approximately $1,370 million which includes pass-through costs to sustain the minimum flying commitment.

|   139

ANNUAL REPORT 202316

Financial Instruments and Risk Management

Summary of Financial Instruments 

(Canadian dollars in millions)

Carrying Amounts

December 31, 2023

Financial instruments classification

December 31, 
2022

Fair value 
through profit 
and loss

Fair value 
through OCI

Assets at 
amortized cost 

Liabilities at 
amortized cost

Total

Financial Assets

Cash and cash equivalents

$

2,817

$

Short-term investments

Accounts receivable

Investments, deposits and other assets

Long-term investments

Equity investment in Chorus

Restricted cash

Aircraft related and other deposits

Other investments 

Derivative instruments

Share forward contracts

Foreign exchange derivatives

5,734

-

744

-

89

-

11

14

$

9,409

Financial Liabilities

Accounts payable

$

Foreign exchange derivatives

Embedded derivative on convertible 
notes

Current portion of long-term debt and 
lease liabilities

Long-term debt and lease liabilities

$

-

179

56

-

-

$

235

$

-

-

-

-

40

-

-

25

-

-

65

-

-

-

-

-

-

$

$

-

-

1,121

-

-

-

53

-

-

-

1,174

-

-

-

-

-

$

$

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

$

2,817

$

2,693

5,734

1,121

744

40

89

53

36

14

5,295

1,037

823

51

79

54

13

6

52

10,648

$ 10,103

$

3,034

$

3,034

$

2,314

-

-

866

179

56

866

192

120

1,263

12,996

12,996

15,043

$ 16,896

$

17,131

$ 18,932

Summary of Gain on Financial Instruments Recorded at Fair Value

(Canadian dollars in millions)

Embedded derivative on convertible notes 

Short-term and long-term investments 

Other

Note 8

$

2023

2022

64

45

6

$

219

(86)

-

Gain on financial instruments recorded at fair value

$

115

$

133

140   |

ANNUAL REPORT 2023Risk Management
Under its risk management policy, the Corporation manages 
its market risk through the use of various financial derivative 
instruments. The Corporation uses these instruments solely for 
risk management purposes, not for generating trading profit. 
As such, any change in cash flows associated with derivative 
instruments is designed to be an economic hedge and offset by 
changes in cash flows of the relevant risk being hedged.

The fair values of derivative instruments represent the amount 
of the consideration that could be exchanged in an arm’s length 
transaction between willing parties who are under no compulsion 
to act. The fair values of these derivatives are determined using 
prices in active markets, where available. When no such market 
is available, valuation techniques such as discounted cash flow 
analysis are applied. The valuation technique incorporates all 
factors that would be considered in setting a price, including 
the Corporation’s own credit risk as well as the credit risk of 
the counterparty. 

Liquidity risk

The Corporation manages its liquidity needs through a variety of 
strategies including by seeking to sustain and improve cash from 
operations, sourcing committed financing for new and existing 
aircraft, and through other financing activities.

Liquidity needs are primarily related to meeting obligations 
associated with financial liabilities, capital commitments, ongoing 
operations, contractual and other obligations. The Corporation 
monitors and manages liquidity risk by preparing rolling cash 
flow forecasts for a minimum period of at least twelve months 
after each reporting period, monitoring the condition and value 
of assets available to be used as well as those assets being used as 
security in financing arrangements, seeking flexibility in financing 
arrangements, and establishing programs to monitor and 
maintain compliance with terms of financing agreements. 

At December 31, 2023, total liquidity was $10,290 million 
comprised of cash and cash equivalents, short-term and long-
term investments of $9,295 million, and $995 million available 
under undrawn credit facilities. Cash and cash equivalents 
include $393 million related to funds held in trust by Air Canada 
Vacations in accordance with regulatory requirements 
governing advance sales for tour operators ($386 million at 
December 31, 2022).

Cash and cash equivalents include $364 million pertaining to 
investments with original maturities of three months or less at 
December 31, 2023 ($464 million as at December 31, 2022).

In 2023, net cashflows used in short-term and long-term investing 
activities were $245 million and included gross purchases of 
$1,963 million long-term investments and gross disposals of 
$1,261 million long-term investments. In 2022, net cashflows 
used in short-term and long-term investing activities were 
$959 million and included gross purchases of $1,516 million 
long-term investments and gross disposals of $764 million long-
term investments.

A maturity analysis of the Corporation’s principal and interest 
repayment requirements on long-term debt and lease liabilities is 
set out in Note 8, and fixed operating commitments and capital 
commitments are set out in Note 15.

Market Risks

Market risk is the risk that the fair value or future cash flows of 
a financial instrument will fluctuate due to changes in market 
prices. Market risk can be further divided into the following 
sub-classifications related to the Corporation: fuel price risk, 
foreign exchange risk, interest rate risk, and share-based 
compensation risk. 

Fuel Price Risk

Fuel price risk is the risk that future cash flows will fluctuate 
because of changes in jet fuel prices. To manage its exposure to 
jet fuel prices and to help mitigate volatility in operating cash 
flows, the Corporation can elect to enter into derivative contracts 
with financial intermediaries. The Corporation may use derivative 
contracts based on jet fuel, heating oil and crude-oil based 
contracts. The Corporation’s policy permits hedging of up to 75% 
of the projected jet fuel purchases for the current calendar year, 
50% of the projected jet fuel purchases for the next calendar year, 
and 25% of projected jet fuel purchases for any calendar year 
thereafter. These are maximum (but not mandated) limits. There 
is no minimum monthly hedging requirement. There are regular 
reviews to adjust the strategy in light of market conditions.

During 2023, the Corporation purchased jet fuel call options 
covering a portion of 2023 fuel exposure. The cash premium 
related to these contracts was $44 million. Premium costs 
and any hedging gains and losses are reclassified from other 
comprehensive income to Aircraft fuel expense on settlement 
of the derivatives. Fuel derivative contracts cash settled with a 
fair value of $95 million in favour of the Corporation, with a net 
hedging gain of $51 million recorded in Aircraft fuel expense. No 
hedge ineffectiveness was recorded. There were no outstanding 
fuel derivatives as at December 31, 2023.

There was no fuel hedging activity during 2022. 

Foreign Exchange Risk

The Corporation’s financial results are reported in Canadian 
dollars, while a large portion of its expenses, debt obligations 
and capital commitments are in foreign currencies, primarily in 
U.S. dollars. Foreign exchange risk is the risk that fluctuations in 
foreign exchange rates may have on operating results and cash 
flows. The Corporation’s risk management objective is to reduce 
cash flow risk related to foreign denominated cash flows.

Air Canada generates certain sales in U.S. dollars and in other 
foreign currencies which are converted to U.S. dollars under the 
Corporation’s risk management program. In 2023, these net 
operating cash inflows totalled approximately US$4.2 billion and 
U.S. denominated operating costs amounted to approximately 
US$7.8 billion. Non-operating cash outflows in U.S. dollars, 
primarily related to interest payments on U.S. dollar denominated 
debt and net financing outflows, amounted to approximately 

|   141

ANNUAL REPORT 2023US$2.2 billion. For 2023, this resulted in a U.S. dollar net cash 
flow exposure of approximately US$5.8 billion.

The Corporation has a target coverage of 60% on a rolling 
18 month basis to manage the net U.S. dollar cash flow exposure 
described above utilizing the following risk management 
strategies:

•  Holding U.S. dollar cash reserves as an economic hedge against 
changes in the value of the U.S. dollar. U.S. dollar cash, short 
and long-term investment balances as at December 31, 2023 
amounted to $1,123 million (US$845 million) ($693 million 
(US$511 million) as at December 31, 2022). A portion of the 
cash and investment reserves are an economic hedge against 
long-term U.S. dollar debt while the remainder of the cash is 
operational cash and investment reserves which are applied 
against the rolling 18 month net U.S. dollar cash flow exposure. 
In 2023, a loss of $18 million (gain of $72 million in 2022) was 
recorded in Foreign exchange gain (loss) reflecting the change in 
Canadian equivalent market value of the U.S. dollar cash, short 
and long-term investment balances held.

•  Locking in the foreign exchange rate through the use of a 

variety of foreign exchange derivatives which have maturity 
dates corresponding to the forecasted dates of U.S. dollar 
net outflows. 

The level of foreign exchange derivatives entered into and their 
related maturity dates are dependent upon a number of factors, 
which include the amount of foreign revenue conversion available, 
U.S. dollar net cash outflows, as well as the amount attributed 
to aircraft and debt payments. Based on the notional amount 
of currency derivatives outstanding at December 31, 2023, as 
further described below, approximately 63% of net U.S. cash 
outflows are hedged for 2024 and 39% for 2025, resulting in 
derivative coverage of 56% over the next 18 months. Operational 
U.S. dollar cash and investment reserves combined with derivative 
coverage results in 60% coverage over the next 18 months. 

As at December 31, 2023, the Corporation had outstanding 
foreign currency options and swap agreements, settling 
in 2024 and 2025, to purchase at maturity $5,982 million 
(US$4,542 million) of U.S. dollars at a weighted average rate of 
$1.3089 per US$1.00 (2022 – $5,798 million (US$4,310 million) 
with settlements in 2023 and 2024 at a weighted average 
rate of $1.2986 per $1.00 U.S. dollar). The Corporation also 
has protection in place to sell a portion of its excess Euros, 
Sterling, YEN, and AUD (EUR €276 million, GBP £166 million, 
JPY ¥14,797 million,  and AUD $124 million) which settle in 
2024 and 2025 at weighted average rates of €1.1292, £1.2790, 
¥0.0075, and AUD $0.6920 per $1.00 U.S. dollar, respectively 
(as at December 31, 2022 – EUR €198 million, GBP £244 million, 
JPY ¥17,405 million, CNH ¥355 million and AUD $126 million 
with settlement in 2023 and 2024 at weighted average rates 
of €1.0828, £1.2467, ¥0.0082, ¥0.1419, and AUD $0.7072 
respectively per $1.00 U.S. dollar).  

The hedging structures put in place have various option pricing 
features, such as knock-out terms and profit cap limitations, 
and based on the assumed volatility used in the fair value 
calculation, the net fair value of these foreign currency 

142   |

contracts as at December 31, 2023 was $165 million in favour 
of the counterparties (2022 – $140 million in favour of the 
counterparties). These derivative instruments have not been 
designated as hedges for accounting purposes and are recorded 
at fair value. During 2023, a gain of $139 million was recorded in 
Foreign exchange gain (loss) related to these derivatives (2022 – 
$174 million gain). In 2023, foreign exchange derivative contracts 
cash settled with a net fair value of $163 million in favour of the 
Corporation (2022 – $46 million in favour of the Corporation).

Interest Rate Risk 

Interest rate risk is the risk that the fair value or future cash flows 
of a financial instrument will fluctuate because of changes in 
market interest rates. 

The Corporation enters into both fixed and floating rate debt and 
also leases certain assets where the rental amount fluctuates 
based on changes in short-term interest rates. The Corporation 
manages interest rate risk on a portfolio basis and seeks financing 
terms in individual arrangements that are most advantageous 
taking into account all relevant factors, including credit margin, 
term and basis. The risk management objective is to minimize the 
potential for changes in interest rates to cause adverse changes 
in cash flows to the Corporation. The cash and short-term 
investment portfolio which earns a floating rate of return is an 
economic hedge for a portion of the floating rate debt. 

The ratio of fixed to floating rate obligations outstanding is 
designed to maintain flexibility in the Corporation’s capital 
structure and is based upon a long-term objective of 60% fixed 
and 40% floating but allows flexibility to adjust to prevailing 
market conditions. The ratio at December 31, 2023 is 75% 
fixed and 25% floating (71% and 29%, respectively as at 
December 31, 2022). 

Share-based Compensation Risk

The Corporation issues RSUs and PSUs to certain of its 
employees, as described in Note 13, which entitles the employees 
to receive a payment in the form of one share, cash in the amount 
equal to market value of one share, or a combination thereof, at 
the discretion of the Board of Directors.

To hedge the share price exposure, the Corporation entered into 
share forward contracts to hedge PSUs and RSUs that vested 
in 2023. The forward dates for the share forward contracts 
coincided with the vesting terms and planned settlement dates 
of 325,000 PSUs and RSUs in 2023. These contracts were not 
designated as hedging instruments for accounting purposes. 
Accordingly, changes in the fair value of these contracts are 
recorded in Gain (loss) on financial instruments recorded at 
fair value in the period in which they arise. During 2023, a gain 
of less than $1 million was recorded (2022 – loss of less than 
$1 million). Share forward contracts cash settled with a fair 
value of $6 million in favour of the Corporation in 2023 (2022 – 
$7 million). There are no share forward contracts outstanding as 
at December 31, 2023.

ANNUAL REPORT 2023Credit Risk

Credit risk is the risk of loss due to a counterparty’s inability to meet its obligations. As at December 31, 2023, the Corporation’s credit 
risk exposure consists mainly of the carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, accounts receivable, long-
term investments and derivative instruments. Cash and cash equivalents and short and long-term investments are in place with major 
financial institutions, various levels of government in Canada, and major corporations. Accounts receivable are generally the result of 
sales of passenger tickets to individuals, largely through the use of major credit cards, through geographically dispersed travel agents, 
corporate outlets, or other airlines. Similarly, accounts receivable related to cargo revenues relate to accounts from a large number of 
geographically dispersed customers. Accounts receivable related to agreements for the issuance of Aeroplan Points are mainly with 
major financial institutions and any exposure associated with these customers is mitigated by the relative size and nature of business 
carried on by such partners. Credit rating guidelines are used in determining derivative counterparties. In order to manage its exposure 
to credit risk and assess credit quality, the Corporation reviews counterparty credit ratings on a regular basis and sets credit limits when 
deemed necessary.

Sensitivity Analysis

The following table is a sensitivity analysis for each type of market risk relevant to the significant financial instruments recorded by 
the Corporation as at December 31, 2023. The sensitivity analysis is based on certain movements in the relevant risk factor. These 
assumptions may not be representative of actual movements in these risks and may not be relied upon. Given potential volatility in the 
financial and commodity markets, the actual movements and related percentage changes may differ significantly from those outlined 
below. Changes in income generally cannot be extrapolated because the relationship of the change in assumption to the change in 
income may not be linear. For purposes of presentation, each risk is contemplated independent of other risks; however, in reality, 
changes in any one factor may result in changes in one or more several other factors, which may magnify or counteract the sensitivities.

The sensitivity analysis related to derivative contracts is based on the estimated fair value change applicable to the derivative as 
at December 31, 2023 considering a number of variables including the remaining term to maturity and does not consider the fair 
value change that would be applicable to the derivative assuming the market risk change was applicable to the maturity date of the 
derivative contract.

(Canadian dollars in millions)

Cash and cash equivalents

Short–term investments

Long-term investments

Aircraft related deposits

Long-term debt and lease liabilities

Foreign exchange derivatives

Embedded derivative on convertible 
notes

Interest rate risk

Foreign exchange rate risk(1)

Other price risk(2),(3)

Income

Income

Income

1%  
increase

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

28

57

7

-

(33)

-

-

1%  
decrease

$ (28)

$ (57)

$

$

$

$

$

(7)

-

33

-

-

5%  
increase

5%  
decrease

10%  
increase

10%  
decrease

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

(21)

(32)

(3)

(2)

517

(8)

-

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

21

32

3

2

(517)

8

-

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

-

-

-

-

-

-

(6)

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

-

-

-

-

-

-

6

 (1)  Increase (decrease) in foreign exchange relates to a strengthening (weakening) of the Canadian dollar versus the U.S. dollar. The impact on long-term debt and lease liabilities includes $6 million related to the Canadian 

dollar versus the Japanese yen. The impact of changes in other currencies is not significant to the Corporation’s financial instruments.

(2)  The sensitivity analysis for the embedded derivative on the convertible notes is based on a total 10% change in value.

For Air Canada’s equity investment in Chorus, a 10% increase (decrease) to the Chorus share price would increase (decrease) Other 
comprehensive income by $4 million.

|   143

ANNUAL REPORT 2023Covenants in Credit Card Agreements

The Corporation’s principal credit card processing agreements for credit card processing services contain triggering events upon which 
the Corporation is required to provide the applicable credit card processor with cash deposits. The obligations to provide cash deposits 
and the required amount of deposits are each based upon a matrix measuring, on a quarterly basis, both a fixed charge coverage ratio 
for the Corporation and the unrestricted cash and short-term investments of the Corporation. In 2023, the Corporation made no cash 
deposits under these agreements (nil in 2022).

Financial Instrument Fair Values in the Consolidated Statement of Financial Position
The carrying amounts reported in the consolidated statement of financial position for short-term financial assets and liabilities, which 
includes Accounts receivable and Accounts payable and accrued liabilities, approximate fair values due to the immediate or short-term 
maturities of these financial instruments. Cash equivalents and short and long-term investments are classified as held for trading and 
therefore are recorded at fair value. 

The carrying amounts of derivatives are equal to fair value, which is based on the amount at which they could be settled based on 
estimated current market rates. 

Management estimated the fair value of its long-term debt based on valuation techniques including discounted cash flows, taking 
into account market information and traded values where available, market rates of interest, the condition of any related collateral, 
the current conditions in credit markets and the current estimated credit margins applicable to the Corporation based on recent 
transactions. Based on significant unobservable inputs (Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy), the estimated fair value of debt is 
$10,975 million compared to its carrying value of $11,455 million.

144   |

ANNUAL REPORT 2023Following is a classification of fair value measurements recognized in the consolidated statement of financial position using a fair value 
hierarchy that reflects the significance of the inputs used in making the measurements. 

Recurring measurements 

(Canadian dollars in millions)

Financial Assets

Held–for–trading securities

Cash equivalents

Short-term investments

Long-term investments

Equity investment in Chorus

Derivative instruments

Foreign exchange derivatives

Total

Financial Liabilities

Derivative instruments

December 31, 2023

Fair value measurements at reporting date using:

Quoted prices in 
active markets for 
identical assets 
(Level 1)

Significant  
other observable 
inputs  
(Level 2)

Significant 
unobservable 
inputs 
(Level 3)

$

$

364

5,734

744

40

14

$

6,896

$

-

-

-

40

-

40

-

-

-

$

$

364

5,734

744

-

14

$

6,856

$

179

56

235

$

$

$

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Foreign exchange derivatives

Embedded derivative on convertible notes

Total

$

$

179

56

235

$

Financial assets held by financial institutions in the form of cash and restricted cash have been excluded from the fair value 
measurement classification table above as they are not valued using a valuation technique.

The Corporation’s policy is to recognize transfers into and transfers out of fair value hierarchy levels as of the date of the event or 
change in circumstances that caused the transfer. There were no transfers within the fair value hierarchy during 2023.

Offsetting of Financial Instruments in the Consolidated Statement of Financial Position
Financial assets and liabilities are offset and the net amount reported in the consolidated statement of financial position where the 
Corporation has a legally enforceable right to set-off the recognized amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis or realize 
the asset and settle the liability simultaneously. In the normal course of business, the Corporation enters into various master netting 
arrangements or other similar arrangements that do not meet the criteria for offsetting in the consolidated statement of financial 
position but still allow for the related amounts to be set-off in certain circumstances, such as the termination of the contracts or in the 
event of bankruptcy or default of either party to the agreement.

Air Canada participates in industry clearing house arrangements whereby certain accounts receivable balances related to passenger, 
cargo and other billings are settled on a net basis with the counterparty through the clearing house. These billings are mainly the result 
of interline agreements with other airlines, which are commercial agreements that enable the sale and settlement of travel and related 
services between the carriers. Billed and work in process interline receivables are presented on a gross basis and amount to $126 million 
as at December 31, 2023 ($112 million as at December 31, 2022). These balances will be settled at a net value at a later date; however, 
such net settlement amount is unknown until the settlement date.

|   145

ANNUAL REPORT 2023The following table presents the recognized financial instruments that are offset, or subject to enforceable master netting 
arrangements or other similar arrangements but not offset, as at December 31, 2023 and 2022, and shows in the Net column what the 
net impact would be on the consolidated statement of financial position if all set-off rights were exercised.

Amounts 
 offset

Gross assets

Gross liabilities 
offset

Net amounts 
presented

Amounts  
not offset

Financial 
instruments

$

$

$

$

43

43

115

115

$

$

$

$

(29)

(29)

(63)

(63)

Amounts  
offset

$

$

$

$

14

14

52

52

$

$

$

$

-

-

6

6

Amounts  
not offset

Financial 
instruments

Gross liabilities

Gross assets  
offset

Net amounts 
presented

$

$

$

$

257

257

245

245

$

$

$

$

(78)

(78)

(53)

(53)

$

$

$

$

179

179

192

192

$

$

$

$

-

-

-

-

Net

Net

14

14

58

58

179

179

192

192

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

Financial assets
(Canadian dollars in millions)

December 31, 2023

Derivative assets

December 31, 2022

Derivative assets

Financial liabilities
(Canadian dollars in millions)

December 31, 2023

Derivative liabilities

December 31, 2022

Derivative liabilities

146   |

ANNUAL REPORT 202317

Contingencies, Guarantees and Indemnities

Contingencies and Litigation Provisions 
Various lawsuits and claims, including claims filed by various labour groups of Air Canada are pending by and against the Corporation 
and provisions have been recorded where appropriate. It is the opinion of management that final determination of these claims will not 
have a material adverse effect on the financial position or the results of the Corporation. 

Guarantees
The Corporation participates in fuel facility arrangements operated through nine Fuel Facility Corporations, and three aircraft de-icing 
service facilities, along with other airlines that contract for fuel and de-icing services at various major airports in Canada. These entities 
operate on a cost recovery basis. The aggregate debt of these entities that has not been consolidated by the Corporation under IFRS 
10 Consolidated Financial Statements is approximately $1,215 million as at December 31, 2023 (December 31, 2022 – $1,181 million), 
which is the Corporation’s maximum exposure to loss before taking into consideration the value of the assets that secure the 
obligations and any cost sharing that would occur amongst the other contracting airlines. The Corporation views this loss potential as 
remote. Each contracting airline participating in these entities shares pro rata, based on system usage, in the guarantee of this debt. The 
maturities of these debt arrangements vary but generally extend beyond five years.

Indemnification Agreements
In the ordinary course of the Corporation’s business, the Corporation enters into a variety of agreements, such as real estate leases or 
operating agreements, aircraft financing or leasing agreements, technical service agreements, and director/officer contracts, and other 
commercial agreements, some of which may provide for indemnifications to counterparties that may require the Corporation to pay 
for costs and/or losses incurred by such counterparties. The Corporation cannot reasonably estimate the potential amount, if any, it 
could be required to pay under such indemnifications. Such amount would also depend on the outcome of future events and conditions, 
which cannot be predicted. While certain agreements specify a maximum potential exposure, certain others do not specify a maximum 
amount or a limited period. Historically, the Corporation has not made any significant payments under these indemnifications.

The Corporation expects that it would be covered by insurance for most extra-contractual liabilities and certain 
contractual indemnities. 

|   147

ANNUAL REPORT 202318

Capital Disclosures

The Corporation views capital as the sum of Long-term debt and lease liabilities, the embedded derivative on convertible notes, and the 
book value of Shareholders’ equity (deficiency). The Corporation also monitors its net debt which is calculated as the sum of Long-term 
debt and lease liabilities less cash and cash equivalents, and short-term and long-term investments.

The Corporation’s main objectives when managing capital are:

•  To ensure the Corporation has access to capital to fund contractual obligations as they become due and to ensure adequate cash 

levels to withstand deteriorating economic conditions;

•  To ensure capital allocation decisions generate sufficient returns and to assess the efficiency with which the Corporation allocates its 

capital to generate returns;

•  To structure repayment obligations in line with the expected life of the Corporation’s principal revenue generating assets; 

•  To maintain an appropriate balance between debt supplied capital versus investor supplied capital; and

•  To monitor the Corporation’s credit ratings to facilitate access to capital markets at competitive interest rates.

In order to maintain or adjust the capital structure, the Corporation may adjust the type or amount of capital utilized, including 
purchase versus debt financing versus lease decisions, defer or cancel aircraft expenditures by not exercising available options or selling 
aircraft options, redeeming or issuing debt securities, issuing equity securities, and repurchasing outstanding shares, all subject to 
market conditions and the terms of the underlying agreements (or any consents required) or other legal restrictions.

The total capital and net debt as at December 31 are calculated as follows:

(Canadian dollars in millions)

Long-term debt and lease liabilities

Current portion of long-term debt and lease liabilities

Total long-term debt and lease liabilities

Embedded derivative on convertible notes

Shareholders’ equity (deficiency)

Total Capital

Total long-term debt and lease liabilities

Less Cash and cash equivalents, and short-term and long-term investments

Net debt

December 31, 2023

December 31, 2022

$ 12,996

$ 15,043

866

13,862

56

796

$ 14,714

$ 13,862

(9,295)

$

4,567

1,263

16,306

120

(1,555)

$ 14,871

$ 16,306

(8,811)

$

7,495

148   |

ANNUAL REPORT 202319

Revenue

Disaggregation of revenue

The Corporation disaggregates revenue from contracts with customers according to the nature of the air transportation services. The 
nature of services is presented as passenger, cargo and other revenue on its consolidated statement of operations. The Corporation 
further disaggregates passenger and cargo air transportation service revenue according to geographic market segments.

A reconciliation of the total amounts reported by geographic region for Passenger revenues and Cargo revenues on the consolidated 
statement of operations is as follows:

(Canadian dollars in millions) 

Passenger Revenues

Canada

U.S. Transborder

Atlantic

Pacific

Other

(Canadian dollars in millions)

Cargo Revenues

Canada

U.S. Transborder

Atlantic

Pacific

Other

2023

2022

$

5,106

$

4,424

4,123

6,049

2,380

1,745

3,017

4,381

1,118

1,298

$ 19,403

$ 14,238

2023

2022

$

$

94

45

432

222

131

924

$

114

51

556

409

136

$

1,266

Passenger and cargo revenues are based on the actual flown revenue for flights with an origin and destination in a specific country or 
region. Atlantic refers to flights that cross the Atlantic Ocean with origins and destinations principally in Europe, India, the Middle East 
and North Africa. Pacific refers to flights that cross the Pacific Ocean with origins and destinations principally in Asia and Australia. 
Other passenger and cargo revenues refer to flights with origins and destinations principally in Central and South America and the 
Caribbean and Mexico.

Other operating revenues are principally derived from customers located in Canada and consist primarily of revenues from the sale 
of the ground portion of vacation packages, redemption of Aeroplan Points for non-air goods and services, buy on board and related 
passenger ancillary services and charges, and other airline-related services.

|   149

ANNUAL REPORT 2023 
 
Contract balances

The following table provides information about receivables, contract assets, and contract liabilities from contracts with customers. 

(Canadian dollars in millions)

December 31, 2023

December 31, 2022

Receivables, which are included in Accounts receivable 

Contract costs which are included in Prepaid expenses and other current assets

Contract liabilities – Advance ticket sales

Contract liabilities – Aeroplan deferred revenue (current and long-term)

Contract liabilities – Other deferred revenue (current and long-term)

$

852

127

4,341

3,562

900

$

770

133

4,104

3,409

1,046

Receivables include passenger, cargo and other receivables from contracts with customers. The Corporation sells passenger tickets and 
related ancillary services via cash, credit card or other card-based forms of payment with payment generally collected in advance of 
the performance of related transportation services. Passenger ticket and ancillary receivables are amounts due from other airlines for 
interline travel, travel agency payment processing intermediaries or credit card processors associated with sales for future travel and are 
included in Accounts receivable on the consolidated statement of financial position. Aeroplan Points are sold to program partners based 
on member accumulations and which billings are generally settled monthly. Cargo and other accounts receivable relate to amounts 
owing from customers, including from freight forwarders and interline partners for cargo and other services provided. 

Contract costs include payment card fees, commissions and global distribution system charges on passenger tickets. These costs are 
capitalized at time of sale and expensed at the time of passenger revenue recognition. 

Airline passenger and cargo sales transactions rely on multiple information technology systems and controls to process, record, and 
recognize a high volume of low value transactions, through a combination of internal information technology systems and outsourced 
service providers, including industry clearing houses, global distribution systems, and other partner airlines. Passenger sales and the 
ground portion of vacation packages are deferred and included in Current liabilities. A portion of the passenger sale related to the 
equivalent ticket value of any Aeroplan Points issued is separated and deferred in Aeroplan deferred revenue. The Advance ticket 
sales liability is recognized in revenue when the related flight occurs or over the period of the vacation. Depending on the fare class, 
passengers may exchange their tickets up to the time of the flight or obtain a refund, generally in exchange for the payment of a fee. 
The Corporation performs regular evaluations on the advance ticket sales liability. 

The practical expedient in IFRS 15 allows entities not to disclose the amount of the remaining transaction prices and its expected timing 
of recognition for performance obligations if the contract has an original expected duration of one year or less. The Corporation elects 
to use this practical expedient for the passenger travel performance obligation as passenger tickets expire within a year if unused.

Air Canada offers and has issued and outstanding non-expiring travel credits. Customers have the ability to use the travel credits within 
the next 12 months and the Corporation does not have an unconditional right to defer settlement beyond the next 12 months. As such, 
the entire liability amount as at December 31, 2023 of $325 million (2022 - $401 million) related to these credits has been recorded in 
current liabilities even though some could be used after the next 12 months.

The following table presents financial information related to the changes in Aeroplan deferred revenue:

(Canadian dollars in millions)

Aeroplan deferred revenue, beginning of year

Proceeds from Aeroplan Points issued pursuant to program partner arrangements

Equivalent ticket value of Aeroplan Points issued

Aeroplan Points redeemed

Aeroplan deferred revenue, end of year

2023

2022

$ 3,409

$ 3,452

1,678

294

1,253

207

(1,819)

(1,503)

$ 3,562

$ 3,409

Proceeds from Points issued pursuant to Aeroplan program partner arrangements and the equivalent ticket value of Points issued 
through travel are deferred until the Points are redeemed and the reward is provided to the member. The Corporation expects the 
majority of the Points outstanding will be redeemed within three years.

150   |

ANNUAL REPORT 202320

Related Party Transactions

Compensation of Key Management
Key management includes Air Canada’s Board of Directors and its Executive Officers (President and Chief Executive Officer, Executive 
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Executive Vice President and Chief Operations Officer, Executive Vice President Marketing 
and Digital , Executive Vice President, Revenue and Network Planning, Executive Vice President – Chief Human Resources Officer and 
Public Affairs, and Executive Vice President – Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary). Amounts reported are based upon the 
expense as reported in the consolidated financial statements, which in the case of Pension and post-employment benefits, includes 
actuarial gains or losses, as applicable. Compensation to key management is summarized as follows:

(Canadian dollars in millions)

Salaries and other benefits

Pension and post-employment benefits

Share-based compensation 

2023

2022

$

$

9

5

17

31

$

$

8

(3)

15

20

|   151

ANNUAL REPORT 2023 
@aircanada

aircanada.com

About Air Canada

Air Canada is Canada’s largest airline, the country’s flag carrier and a 
founding member of Star Alliance®, the world’s most comprehensive 
air transportation network. Air Canada provides scheduled service 
directly to more than 180 airports in Canada, the United States 
and internationally on six continents. It holds a Four-Star ranking 
from Skytrax. 

Air Canada’s Aeroplan program is Canada’s premier travel loyalty 
program, where members can earn or redeem points on the 
world’s largest airline partner network of 45 airlines, plus through 
an extensive range of merchandise, hotel and car rental partners. 
Through Air Canada Vacations, it offers more travel choices than any 
other Canadian tour operator to hundreds of destinations worldwide, 
with a wide selection of hotels, flights, cruises, day tours and 
car rentals. Its freight division, Air Canada Cargo, provides air freight 
lift and connectivity to hundreds of destinations across six continents 
using Air Canada’s passenger and freighter aircraft. Air Canada aims 
to achieve an ambitious net zero emissions goal from all global 
operations by 2050. Air Canada shares are publicly traded on the TSX 
in Canada and the OTCQX in the U.S.

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The only Four-Star
international network
carrier in North America