Transat A.T. Inc. celebrates its 15th anniversary

MONTREAL, Nov. 13/CNW/

Transat A.T. Inc. begins its 15th anniversary celebration tomorrow, on the anniversary date of the first flight of its subsidiary Air Transat, November 14, 1987, from Montreal to Acapulco. From the simple tour operator it was in 1987, Transat today ranks among the 10 leading tourism companies in the world.

To mark the occasion, the corporation has planned an extensive program of activities for vacationers, partners, and its 5,500 employees spread throughout some 20 subsidiaries in North America and Europe. 'Organized under the theme 'Celebrating 15 Years of Great Vacations', Transat's 15th anniversary is an excellent opportunity to celebrate and to thank customers, partners, and employees, while sharing our plans for the future,' stated Jean-Marc Eustache, President and Chief Executive Officer of Transat A.T. Inc., and a founder of the company.

'We are a 'holiday maker,' and all of our subsidiaries work in synergy to offer vacationers attractive travel packages, reliable air transportation, efficient services at destination, and personalized customer service-in short, a total and unique travel experience. Fifteen years ago, we chose the path of vertical integration, and today the results prove that we made the right choice,' continued Mr. Eustache.

The company's future
'We look to the future with some optimism because international tourism has been steadily growing for fifty years,' proudly asserts Jean-Marc Eustache. 'We are growing; and several factors, among them demographic trends, show that this trend promises to continue. With a dynamic presence among tour operators as well as in air transportation, hotel management, and travel agencies-a presence that spans two continents-Transat A.T. Inc. has exceptional strengths that will enable us to continue to offer quality products to travellers.'

To highlight its 15th anniversary, Transat created a special visual display for its promotional material and for its check-in counters and boarding gates at the major Canadian airports, at the London and Paris airports, and the main bases of southern destinations. Aboard the Air Transat aircraft, vacationers will find a video and a special 15th anniversary section in Air magazine.

There will also be a special 15th anniversary on-board promotion of lucky seats during the period of celebration.About Transat A.T. Inc.

Transat A.T. Inc. with its head office in Montreal is an integrated company specializing in the organization, marketing, and distribution of holiday travel. The core of its business consists of tour operators in North America and Europe. Transat is also involved in air transportation, hotel management, and value-added services at travel destinations, as well as in distribution through travel agency networks. Transat A.T. Inc. is a public corporation listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSE:TRZ). In 2001, Transat recorded revenues of more than $2 billion.