Jazz Technical Services awarded contract to perform airframe maintenance for CommutAir

HALIFAX, Dec. 6, 2016 /CNW/ - Today, Jazz Aviation LP ('Jazz') announced that it has been awarded a two-year heavy maintenance contract by CommutAir, a United Express^® carrier based in North Olmsted, Ohio. Under the terms of the agreement, Jazz Technical Services ('JTS'), a division of Jazz dedicated to heavy maintenance, repair and overhaul ('MRO') of Bombardier aircraft, will provide airframe maintenance in support of 15 of the 21 Dash 8-200 and Dash 8-300 aircraft operated by CommutAir. The work will be carried out at JTS' 24-hour facility at the Halifax Stanfield International Airport in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

"This new contract is another step toward achieving our vision to grow our MRO business," said Colin Copp, President, Jazz. "We take great pride in our ability to deliver industry-leading performance, value and turnaround times, and look forward to a mutually rewarding relationship with CommutAir."

Since being established as a separate division of Jazz in May of this year, JTS has been successful in winning a five-year agreement with Air Georgian to perform airframe maintenance on a fleet of 14 regional jets and has reached an agreement with Air Canada to conduct the interior refurbishment of Jazz's Dash 8-300 aircraft over the next two to three years.

Jazz has a strong track record as a high quality maintenance operator. For the past three consecutive years, Jazz has been recognized by Bombardier Aerospace for exceptional reliability performance at Bombardier's annual Airline Reliability Performance Awards.

"We are pleased to award this contract to JTS and we look forward to working with their team. JTS has a strong reputation in our industry for delivering quality work and their value proposition was quite compelling," said Subodh Karnik, President and Chief Executive Officer, CommutAir.

Established in 1989, CommutAir is a regional airline operating on behalf of United Airlines as United Express and is in the midst of a massive fleet expansion, adding 40 Embraer ERJ145 jets to its 21 Dash 8 turboprops. CommutAir currently operates more than 100 flights daily to more than 30 cities within the United States and carries over 1.4 million passengers annually, with a workforce of more than 700 employees.

About Jazz Aviation LP

Jazz Aviation LP has a strong history in Canadian aviation with its roots going back to the 1930s. Jazz is owned by Chorus Aviation Inc. a company whose shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol 'CHR'. As the largest regional carrier in Canada, Jazz has a proven track record of industry leadership and exceptional customer service, and has leveraged that strength to deliver value to all its stakeholders. Jazz operates more flights and flies to more Canadian destinations than any other airline, and has a workforce of approximately 4,100 professionals, highly experienced in the challenging and complex nature of regional operations.

There are three divisions operated by Jazz Aviation LP: Air Canada Express, Jazz Technical Services and Jazz.

Air Canada Express: Under a capacity purchase agreement with Air Canada, using the Air Canada Express brand, Jazz provides service to and from lower-density markets as well as higher-density markets at off-peak times throughout North America, with a fleet of 113 Canadian-made Bombardier aircraft.

Jazz Technical Services: Established in May 2016 as a separate division, Jazz Technical Services ('JTS') is dedicated to heavy maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) of Bombardier aircraft. JTS provides MRO services to third parties while maintaining the dedication and commitment to its primary customer, Air Canada.

Jazz: Under the Jazz brand, the airline offers charters throughout North America with a dedicated fleet of three Bombardier aircraft for corporate clients, governments, special interest groups and individuals seeking more convenience. Jazz also has the ability to offer airline operators services such as ground handling, dispatching, flight load planning, training and consulting.

For more information, visit www.flyjazz.ca.

United Express^® is a registered trademark of United Airlines, Inc.

SOURCE Jazz

For further information: Jazz Aviation Media Contacts: Manon Stuart, [phone], Canada - East / Atlantic, [e-mail]; Debra Williams, [phone], Canada - Central / West, [e-mail]; CommutAir Media Contact: Josephine Heinz, [phone] extension 371, [e-mail]