ACE Aviation reports third quarter 2012 results

MONTREAL, Nov. 28, 2012 /CNW Telbec/ – ACE Aviation Holdings Inc. (ACE) announced today its third quarter results for 2012.

In the third quarter of 2012, ACE recorded an increase in net assets in liquidation of $8 million. This increase is primarily due to the increase in the market value of the shares of Air Canada held by ACE as at the end of the third quarter of 2012. As at September 30, 2012, ACE’s net assets, which included cash and short term investments as well as certain investments in Air Canada, amounted to $112 million or $3.45 per share.

On November 14, 2012, ACE announced that it had sold all of its shares and warrants in the capital of Air Canada for total net proceeds of $58 million. As a result, as at November 27, 2012, ACE’s only remaining assets consist of cash and short-term investments in an aggregate amount of $132 million.

In March 2010, ACE applied for Certificates of Discharge from the Canada Revenue Agency (“CRA”) and Revenu Quebec. The related audits of income taxes and other taxes were completed during Quarter 1, 2012 and additional reassessments of $4 million were paid. On March 7, 2012, a tax clearance certificate was issued by the CRA in connection with all taxation years ended on or prior to December 31, 2010. On March 12, 2012, Revenu Québec issued an equivalent certificate.

ACE has agreed to indemnify and hold harmless Air Canada and Aveos from loss should Input Tax Credit claims by Air Canada and Aveos amounting to $40 million and $1 million respectively, be reassessed in the future. These agreements follow related tax reassessments received and paid by ACE as part of the tax audits referred to above.

On June 28, 2012, further to the approval by ACE shareholders on April 25, 2012 of a special resolution providing for the voluntary liquidation of ACE, the Superior Court of Québec (Commercial Division) (the “Court”) issued an order appointing Ernst & Young Inc. as liquidator of ACE (the “Liquidator”). Effective as of June 28, 2012, all of the directors and officers of ACE have resigned from their positions and the Liquidator was vested with the powers of the directors of ACE.

Under the supervision of the Court, the Liquidator will establish a process for the identification, resolution and barring of claims and other contingent liabilities against ACE. The Liquidator will also proceed with the distribution of ACE’s remaining net cash to its shareholders, after providing for outstanding liabilities, contingencies and costs of the liquidation. The final distribution to shareholders and the cancellation of the shares of ACE will not occur earlier than mid-year 2013 in order to allow that any remaining contingent liabilities be settled or otherwise provided for.

For additional information with respect to the liquidation of ACE, refer to the management proxy circular dated March 9, 2012 and the other public filings of ACE which are available at www.sedar.com and www.aceaviation.com.