Start-up leisure carrier Canada Jetlines has appointed longtime airline executive Rossen Dimitrov to its board of directors.
Dimitrov has more than 20 years of experience in the airline industry, most recently as chief officer of customer experience at Qatar Airways. He also worked as chief operating officer and chief customer experience officer at Air Italy, as well as chief guest experience officer at Calgary-based WestJet.
“At Qatar Airways, Rossen is constantly challenging the status quo by building a customer-centric approach to delivering future-proof aircraft, lounge and airport interiors, technology-enabled experiences and new service concepts that are the foundation of the airlines’ customer experience,” Jetlines said on 8 February.
“Rossen’s experience and success as a senior executive in the airline industry makes him a great addition to strengthen the Canada Jetlines board of directors,” adds Eddy Doyle, Jetlines’ chief executive.
After several delays, the fledgling discounter began operating in September 2022, using a single Airbus A320-200 for passenger flights between Calgary and its base in Toronto. It currently operates two A320s, according to Cirium fleets data.
The second aircraft entered service in December 2022, positioning Jetlines to launch a transcontinental route between Toronto and Vancouver. The start-up plans to expand its fleet to 15 aircraft by 2025.
On 1 November, the US Department of Transportation granted Jetlines a foreign air carrier permit allowing it to operate routes to Las Vegas and Orlando, Florida – warm-weather destinations popular with so-called “snowbirds” who travel south to escape the chilled Canadian winter.
Jetlines is jostling for space in Canada’s crowded low-cost airline segment, which includes another recent entrant – Calgary-based Lynx Air – and well-established passenger carriers Swoop and Flair Airlines.
