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Kevin Howlett appointed Senior Vice President, Regional Markets
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Arielle Meloul-Wechsler appointed Vice President, Human Resources
MONTREAL, Sept. 18, 2013 /CNW Telbec/ - Air Canada today announced the
appointment of Kevin Howlett, currently Senior Vice President, Employee
Relations, to the new position of Senior Vice President, Regional
Markets with overall responsibility for the strategic direction of Air
Canada's regional operations and the relationship with current and
future regional carriers operating on its behalf.
"I am pleased to announce Kevin's appointment to this new role," said
Calin Rovinescu, President and Chief Executive Officer. "His proven
strategic and relationship management skills as well as his experience
in regional markets across Canada will be invaluable as we focus on
competing more effectively in rapidly evolving regional markets as low
cost operators continue to grow, both in Canada and the United States.
"Over the past two years Air Canada has made significant changes to its
regional airline strategy including embarking on a carrier
diversification program and a re-branding of all regional partners as
Air Canada Express. Kevin's mandate will include a focus on further
reducing the cost of Air Canada's regional lift as well as
strengthening Air Canada's presence in regional communities."
In his new role, based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Kevin will also
work in association with Derek Vanstone, Vice President, Corporate
Strategy, Industry & Government Affairs, to strengthen regional
business and community relationships.
Prior to this appointment Kevin Howlett oversaw the human resource and
labour relations functions at the airline. Kevin has over 35 years of
related experience in the airline industry, and previously held the
positions of Vice President, Labour Relations with Air Canada Jazz, and
Vice President of Labour Relations & Human Resources at Canadian
Airlines International.
Arielle Meloul-Wechsler, currently Senior Director, Human Resources, is
promoted to the new position of Vice President, Human Resources. In
this role, Arielle will assume responsibility for all aspects of Human
Resources with the exception of Labour Relations, which continues to be
the responsibility of Scott Morey, Vice President, Labour Relations.
"Arielle's solid track record of excellence in her previous roles with
the airline, her proven leadership abilities and strategic management
skills will further strengthen our leadership team," said Mr.
Rovinescu. "In particular, I look forward to her ongoing contribution
in the development of people strategy and the implementation of many
culture change initiatives planned or in progress across the company."
Arielle has been with Air Canada since 1997. Prior to assuming her
Employee Relations functions in 2011, she was Assistant General Counsel
and Director of Legal Services at Air Canada. In 2005 she was seconded
to Aeroplan where she led the external legal team through Aeroplan's
initial public offering. Prior to joining Air Canada, Arielle practised
law at Davies, Ward, Phillips & Vineberg.
Air Canada is Canada's largest domestic and international airline
serving more than 175 destinations on five continents. Canada's flag
carrier is among the 20 largest airlines in the world and in 2012
served close to 35 million customers. Air Canada provides scheduled
passenger service directly to 60 Canadian cities, 49 destinations in
the United States and 67 cities in Europe, the Middle East, Asia,
Australia, the Caribbean, Mexico and South America. Air Canada is a
founding member of Star Alliance, the world's most comprehensive air
transportation network serving 1,328 destinations in 195 countries.
Air Canada is the only international network carrier in North America
to receive a Four-Star ranking according to independent U.K. research
firm Skytrax that ranked Air Canada in a worldwide survey of more than
18 million airline passengers as Best Airline in North America in 2013
for the fourth consecutive year. For more information, please visit: www.aircanada.com.
SOURCE Air Canada