Flight Centre Canada Success Continues

VANCOUVER: In spite of travel market downturns and global challenges such as 9/11, Flight Centre Canada has managed to continue turnover growth across Canada to report a pre-tax profit of more than 400% in the last half of its fiscal 2002 year, announced Flight Centre Canada Western Division Marketing Manager, Carol McLelan today.

"On the heels of our growth of 28% in Western Canada and 30% in Eastern Canada in the last half of our 2002 year, Flight Centre Canada continues to forge ahead with our aggressive growth and expansion plans for Canada, which include opening more stores in metropolitan centres and rural areas in provinces across the country, and providing great job opportunities for people in all of these locations."

Flight Centre Canada, which currently operates more than 100 stores across the country, represents one of six of Flight Centre Limited's countries of business, which also include flagship Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, United Kingdom and United States. The company's entire interim net profit increased 49% in the last half of 2002, in line with projections that took into consideration impactors such as 9/11 and related war threats.

"By the end of our first fiscal quarter in 2003, we plan to have 123 stores operating across Canada," adds McLelan. "We are really excited about growing our role to contribute even more to the fabric of so many Canadian communities."

Meanwhile, Flight Centre Limited has just announced its $122M acquisition of London-based Britanic Travel Limited, the company's largest acquisition to date, according to Flight Centre Limited Chairman Norman Fussell.

Flight Centre Canada operates from a Toronto-based Eastern Region and Vancouver-based Western Region. Flight Centre Canada's strong reputation and market position is built on the company's commitment to providing its customers with "lowest price guaranteed" cost-effective air travel. Flight Centre Canada is also known for its industry leading employee-focused employment practices.

Flight Centre Limited operates 587 shops and businesses in Australia, 117 in New Zealand, 80 in South Africa, 72 in the United Kingdom, 14 in the United States, 57 in Eastern Canada, and 48 in Western Canada.

For more information: Carol McLelan, Flight Centre Marketing

(604) 688-3315
carol_mclelan.bc@flightcentre.ca
www.flightcentre.ca

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