MONTREAL, Jan. 24, 2012 /CNW Telbec/ - Air Canada confirmed today that it remains at the negotiating table awaiting a response from ACPA, the union representing its pilots, to a comprehensive proposal tabled by the Company on Monday January 16, 2012.

Air Canada has been in negotiations with ACPA since October 2010. Following the rejection of a first tentative agreement reached in May 2011, the Company waited six months for ACPA to return to the negotiating table. The two sides have now been in discussions assisted by a federally-appointed conciliator since early November 2011.

Following two separate extensions to the conciliation timeline, the negotiation process is advancing to mediation, as permitted by the Canada Labour Code. In this phase, the conciliator will assume the role of mediator and will continue to oversee the process to bring to conclusion the talks started in late 2010.

Contrary to certain allegations by union representatives, Air Canada is not abandoning its efforts to negotiate a new contract with its pilots. Indeed, Air Canada remains at the table awaiting a response to its most recent offer. In light of two separate recent extensions to the conciliation period, it is also inaccurate to say that Air Canada has refused requests to extend conciliation timelines.

In view of the time elapsed since the start of negotiations towards a new collective agreement, the Company is of the view that the 21-day mediation period provides ample time to the parties to reach agreement.

ACPA represents approximately 3,000 pilots employed by Air Canada, and its collective agreement expired on March 31, 2011.

Air Canada is Canada's largest domestic and international full-service airline providing scheduled and charter air transportation for passengers and cargo to more than 180 destinations on five continents. Canada's flag carrier is the 15th largest commercial airline in the world and serves 34 million customers annually. Air Canada is a founding member of Star Alliance. For more information on Air Canada visit aircanada.com. Follow @AirCanada on Twitter and Facebook.