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Apr 13, 2021 1:42 AM -

Air Canada, Ottawa agree to aid package worth up to $5.9 billion

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Air Canada and Ottawa have agreed to financing deals that would allow the airline to access as much as $5.9 billion through the Large Employer Emergency Financing Facility program. (Photo - Chrystia Freeland/Twitter)

Air Canada and Ottawa have agreed to financing deals that would allow the airline to access as much as $5.9 billion through the Large Employer Emergency Financing Facility program.

As part of the package, Air Canada has agreed to a number of commitments, including refunds for some customers who did not travel due to COVID-19 and a promise to resume service at some regional airports.

Other restrictions include limits on executive compensation and maintaining a minimum number of staff.

Travel restrictions introduced through the beginning of the pandemic have been catastrophic for the airline industry.

Then CEO Calin Rovinescu described it as the "bleakest year in the history of commercial aviation," when the airline released its 2020 financial results in February.

The deal with Ottawa includes debt as well as an equity investment.

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