Air Canada Proudly Supported The Event

Vimy Flight, a flyover by vintage aircraft at ceremonies in France, commemorated the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge last week.

Current and retired Air Canada employees participated in the flypast on April 9, with four of the five participating vintage aircraft flown by retired or active Air Canada pilots.

"As Canada's flag carrier we are proud to celebrate our country's history and we are deeply respectful of the sacrifices made by Canadians at Vimy Ridge, which is regarded as a signal moment in Canada's emergence as an independent country. Moreover, Air Canada has a long affiliation with the Canadian military and we continue to this day to honor and celebrate the contributions of the men and women in the Canadian Armed Forces, so we are very pleased to be able to support the celebration of this significant anniversary," said Calin Rovinescu, President and Chief Executive of Air Canada.

Air Canada provided support for the teams taking part in the flyover, including Air Canada Boeing 777 Captain, Larry Ricker, A320 Captain, Peter Thornton, and retired Air Canada pilots, Allan Snowie and Dale Erhart, who are to fly four of the five vintage aircraft at the ceremony. As well, Air Canada has been active in other ways to assist with the commemoration including:

• helping coordinate the travel of more than 4,500 students from Canada attending the event;
• assisting in the shipment to Europe of The Vimy Cross – a wooden cross carved on the battlefield with the names of fallen Canadian soldiers now on loan to the Vimy Memorial in France;
• showcasing the documentary "Birth of our Nation" on our in-flight entertainment system; and,
• increasing capacity to France to accommodate those wishing to travel to the event.

(Images provided with Air Canada media release)

FMI: http://www.vimyflight.ca/