Neha Jain: http://canadianaviationnews.blogspot.com/ 22

1. CHORUS AVIATION INC. ANNOUNCES FIRST QUARTER DIVIDEND
HALIFAX, March 22 /CNW/ - Chorus Aviation Inc. ("Chorus") (TSX: CHR.B CHR.A CHR.DB), formerly Jazz Air Income Fund, today announced a quarterly dividend of $0.15 per Class A and Class B share payable on or after April 18, 2011 to shareholders of record at the close of business on March 31, 2011. These dividends qualify as eligible dividends in Canada and qualifying dividends in the United States.

   About Chorus Aviation Inc.
   --------------------------
Chorus Aviation Inc. ("Chorus") was incorporated on September 27, 2010 and is a dividend-paying holding company which owns Jazz Aviation LP, and 7503695 Canada Inc. which holds the investment in Latin American Regional Aviation Holdings Corp., which in turn holds a 75% indirect equity interest in South American regional carrier, Pluna.

   About Jazz Aviation LP
   ----------------------
Jazz Aviation LP ("Jazz") has a strong history in Canadian aviation with its roots going back to the 1930s. Since Jazz Air Income Fund became publicly traded in February 2006, Jazz's predecessors have generated some of the strongest operational and financial results in the North American aviation industry.

Under a capacity purchase agreement with Air Canada, Jazz provides service to and from lower-density markets as well as higher-density markets at off-peak times throughout Canada and to and from certain destinations in the United States. Jazz currently operates scheduled passenger service on behalf of Air Canada with over 800 departures per weekday to 85 destinations in Canada and in the United States with a fleet of Canadian-made Bombardier aircraft.

Jazz also operates Boeing 757-200 aircraft on behalf of Thomas Cook Canada in the winter season to various destinations in the Caribbean, Mexico and Central America from four Canadian gateways - Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal and Halifax.

2. Scottish Government will buy two Twin Otters for island
ESTIMATED £4MILLION DEAL HAS GUARANTEED FLIGHTS FOR THE 1,200 PEOPLE OF BARRA

The Scottish Government is buying two planes to run flights to the beach runway on Barra in an estimated £4million deal.

The funding commitment to buy the Twin Otter aircraft and charter them to aviation firms has guaranteed the flights for the 1,200 population of the tiny Hebridean island after 2013.

The planes would be owned by the Scottish Government which also financially supports an airlink to Glasgow. Airlines would be invited to bid for a subsidy to operate them.

The two aircraft will be made by Canadian aviation manufacturer Viking Air which is manufacturing a modern version of the Twin Otter, suitable for landing on the daily tide-washed cockleshell strand at Traigh Mhor, one of the most spectacular air passenger experiences and the only airport where travellers step off on to the soft, white sand rather than hard, black tarmac.

The new planes are hoped to be in place in time for the renewal of the island's air links in 2013.

The revamped Twin Otter is the only suitable passenger plane able to land on the beach runway. With the hassle and uncertainty of securing suitable planes in advance of a contract they may lose, the redesigned tender could attract more air operators than just Loganair.

The new planes would be owned by the Scottish Government and airlines would be invited to bid for a subsidy to operate them.

It also avoids forking out an estimated £20million on constructing a hard runway.

Western Isles SNP MSP Alasdair Allan said: “I am very pleased at this news – it resolved a real worry which people in Barra have had for some time about what happens when the current Twin Otter aircraft reach the end of their lives.

“It isn’t exactly easy to find passenger aircraft which are suitable for landing at an airport with no runway, but it has been achieved. The new planes will be very similar in design to the present two, and their arrival will ensure the future security of the island’s air service.

“While the current planes are maintained to the highest standards, it becomes a more and more expensive task to keep them in service.

“There had been a real concern about the longer term, especially as there was very little prospect of finding anywhere suitable on the island to build a conventional runway at anything like a reasonable cost.

“The news today ensures that the community of Barra retains easy access to Glasgow and Benbecula airports, which will guarantee that this most fragile of island communities has an economic future.

“These flights are vital not only for tourism, but as a lifeline link for people using hospital and other services. This is a great day for Barra and the whole community deserve to be congratulated for pressing the case for today’s multimillion-pound investment in the island’s future.”

3. CHORUS AVIATION INC. ADJUSTS ANNUAL BILLABLE BLOCK HOUR GUIDANCE
HALIFAX, March 17 /CNW/ - Chorus Aviation Inc. ("Chorus") (TSX: CHR.B CHR.A CHR.DB), today announced that it is revising its total annual billable block hour guidance of 390,000 to 400,000 block hours, to between 385,000 and 395,000 block hours for the calendar year 2011 as a result of Air Canada's adjusted capacity outlook announced yesterday.

   About Chorus Aviation Inc.
   --------------------------
Chorus Aviation Inc. ("Chorus") was incorporated on September 27, 2010 and is a dividend-paying holding company which owns Jazz Aviation LP, and 7503695 Canada Inc. which holds the investment in Latin American Regional Aviation Holdings Corp., which in turn holds a 75% indirect equity interest in South American regional carrier, Pluna.

   About Jazz Aviation LP
   ----------------------
Jazz Aviation LP ("Jazz") has a strong history in Canadian aviation with its roots going back to the 1930s. Since Jazz Air Income Fund became publicly traded in February 2006, Jazz's predecessors have generated some of the strongest operational and financial results in the North American aviation industry.

Under a capacity purchase agreement with Air Canada, Jazz provides service to and from lower-density markets as well as higher-density markets at off-peak times throughout Canada and to and from certain destinations in the United States. Jazz currently operates scheduled passenger service on behalf of Air Canada with over 800 departures per weekday to 85 destinations in Canada and in the United States with a fleet of Canadian-made Bombardier aircraft.

4. A Snowbirds jet could be yours — for at least $50,000

A rare chance to acquire an iconic piece of Canadian aviation history is up for grabs when a Snowbirds Tutor Jet is auctioned in Toronto next month.
   The Canadian Forces’ Snowbirds team, which claims Moose Jaw as its home, has entertained millions of air show spectators as international ambassadors for Canada for more than 40 years.
   The pilots fly the Canadian-built CT-114 Tutor Jet.
   Now one of these rare aircraft will be offered at public auction for the first time at the annual Classic Car Auction of Toronto from April 8 to 10 held at the International Centre in Mississauga, Ont., next to Pearson International Airport.
   It is one of only four known CT-114s under private ownership.
   The aircraft was flown by the team in the 1990s and retains its original cockpit instruments, controls and ejection seats. It was originally flown as number 10 although now has the number 15 on it.
   Originally powered by the J85 jet engine, which has since been removed after being retired from service, the aircraft is expected to become a candidate for restoration or historical museum display.

By
Neha Jain

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