Air Canada

Following entry is a record in the “Catalogue of Catastrophe” – a list of failed and troubled projects from around the world.


Air Canada
Date : Aug 2009 Cost :$67M

Synopsis :
Following more than 3 years of development effort, Air Canada suspends its efforts to implement a next-generation air reservation and departure control system. Citing capital cost issues the airline announces a $67M write down related to the development. Originally planned to start deployment in 2007, the implementation was delayed a number of times and ultimately cancelled.

Note: Air Canada sugesst in their press release that they may reinstate this project at a later date. As of Jul 2010 there has been no further information published about the future of the project.

Contributing factors as reported in the press :
Schedule delays. No other information published.

Related stories :
Airline reservations systems seem to be particularly hard to do (likely due to the very high complexity involved and the need for high transactional rates).  See also

  1. Lufthansa – Sep 2007
  2. Westjet – Jan 2007

Reference links :

  1. Air Canada suspends implementation of next-gen reservation system
  2. Air Canada annual report 2009 (see page 39)

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