TRANSPORT MINISTER ANNOUNCES
DESIGNATION OF AIR TRANSAT HMY AIRWAYS AND ZOOM AIRLINES INC. TO OPERATE
SERVICES BETWEEN CANADA AND MEXICO
OTTAWA -- Transport Minister David Collenette today announced the designation of Air Transat, HMY Airways and Zoom Airlines Inc. to operate scheduledinternational air services between Canada and Mexico.

"These designations give Canadians greater choice when travelling between Canada and Mexico," said Mr. Collenette. "I am pleased that our international air policy promotes such innovation and growth in the Canadian airline industry."

Under the new designations, Air Transat proposes to offer scheduled services between the following cities and Cancun: Halifax, Quebec; Montreal; Toronto; Calgary; Edmonton; and Vancouver. The airline also proposes to offer service between Montreal, Toronto, Calgary and Vancouver to Puerto Vallarta. From Montreal, the airline also plans to fly to Manzanillo and Huatulco. Additional services will be available between Toronto and Montreal to the Mexican cities of Acapulco and Zihuatanejo.

HMY airways plans to offer flights from Vancouver to Mazatlán and Zihuatanejo. Zoom Airlines proposes to offer service between Ottawa and Cancun.

Zoom started operations in December 2002, and has operated charter services between Canada and Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Mexico and Florida. HMY Airways is a Vancouver-based airline which flies to Toronto and cities in the U.S., while Air Transat operates scheduled and charter flights from several Canadian cities to international destinations.

Under the provisions of Canada's international air transportation policy, all Canadian air carriers may apply to the Minister for designation to operate scheduled international air services.