MONTREAL, March 16, 2017 /CNW Telbec/ - Air Transat unconditionally supports the decision by federal Transport Minister Marc Garneau to adopt a regulation governing the use of drones for recreational purposes. This interim order will help maintain the high level of safety already provided by Canada's aviation industry. 

"This is good news for all airlines, their passengers and crews, but also for the general public," said Jean-François Lemay, President of Air Transat. "Drones, which are constantly increasing in number, can pose a real threat to civil aviation if they are not used responsibly. We are very pleased to see that the Minister of Transport is concerned about this issue and is acting quickly." Mr. Lemay continued: "These new rules, which go into effect immediately, will prevent accidents both on the ground and in the air and pave the way for a permanent law."

The new order, which is effective today, will among others prohibit owners of recreational drones from flying them within a nine-kilometre radius of an airport, heliport, aerodrome or water aerodrome, thus limiting the risks of these devices colliding with an aircraft that is taking off or landing.

About Air Transat
Air Transat is Canada's number one holiday travel airline in the Canadian and transatlantic markets. It also offers domestic and feeder flights out of five Canadian airports. Every year, it carries some three million passengers to approximately 60 destinations in 26 countries. Based in Montreal, the company employs more than 2,500 people and operates a fleet of Boeing narrow-body and Airbus wide-body jets. In 2016, Air Transat was named Best North American Leisure Airline for the fifth consecutive year by Skytrax. In recent years, the carrier has earned multiple distinctions for its efforts to reduce its environmental footprint. Since 2011, it has consistently been ranked number one in North America for energy efficiency, and in the Top 20 worldwide, by the Atmosfair Airline Index. Air Transat is a business unit of Transat A.T. Inc., a leading integrated international tourism company active in air transportation, accommodation, travel packaging and distribution. Transat was awarded Travelife Partner status in 2016 in recognition of its commitment to sustainable development. The vacation travel companion par excellence, Transat celebrates its 30th anniversary in 2017.

SOURCE Transat A.T. Inc.