“Our structure will be better adapted to face the challenges of tomorrow.”
– Jean-Marc Eustache, President and Chief Executive Officer

Transat A.T. Inc., one of the largest integrated tourism companies in the world and Canada’s holiday travel leader, today announced an administrative restructuring at Air Transat, along with the appointment of a new general manager for the business unit. Air Transat is simplifying its administrative structure, a procedure that has resulted in the abolition of 47 positions. Thus reorganization does not imply any reduction in customer service and will have no impact on operations.

“With this move, our structure will be better adapted to face the challenges of tomorrow,” said Jean-Marc Eustache, President and Chief Executive Officer of Transat A.T. Inc., explaining that the changes are part of the company’s three-year plan to return to profitability announced in 2011.

Effective immediately, Jean-François Lemay is appointed General Manager, Air Transat. Mr. Lemay will occupy this position concurrently with his duties as Transat’s Vice-President, Human Resources and Talent Management. A long-time Transat colleague, he joined the company’s senior management team in October 2011. Allen B. Graham, President of Air Transat, will retire from the organization on June 30, 2013.

“Air Transat was named World’s Best Leisure Airline by Skytrax in 2012, and we fully intend to build on that momentum,” Mr. Eustache said, adding: “On that note, I would like to acknowledge the outstanding work that Allen has accomplished at Air Transat, and convey to him my deepest appreciation. There was much to do when he took over the reins, and he and his team succeeded in imparting the discipline and professionalism that, over the years, has brought Air Transat to where it stands today — among the benchmark companies in its category.”

Air Transat is also preparing to begin implementation of measures called for in its program to reduce structural and operating costs, with an eye to reaching the targets announced in 2011 for fiscal years 2012, 2013 and 2014. None of the planned initiatives implies any reduction in services to customers.

Transat A.T. Inc. is an integrated international tour operator with more than 60 destination countries and that distributes products in over 50 countries. A holiday travel specialist, Transat operates mainly in Canada and Europe, as well as in the Caribbean, Mexico and the Mediterranean Basin. Montreal-based Transat is also active in air transportation, accommodation, destination services and distribution. Transat’s firm commitment to sustainable tourism development is reflected in its multiple corporate responsibility initiatives. (TSX: TRZ.B, TRZ.A).