TORONTO — Canada Jetlines Ltd. has taken the next step in its quest to get airborne, submitting operations manuals to Transport Canada in order to receive its Air Operator Certificate (AOC) in preparation for first flight in 2019.

Weekly updates have been provided to the Principal Operations Inspector and Jetlines has completed the amendment of required manuals to Airbus A320 operations and has provided these documents to the regulatory authority.

The company says it will now focus on completing the second milestone through the amendment to training programs and completion of the contracts required for Airbus training.

The final milestone will be achieved through conducting interviews, hiring and the training of all staff to prepare for aircraft delivery in the second quarter of 2019.

“We are proud of the operations team and the work they have carried out to date. Their hard work and talent have brought us one step closer to enabling Jetlines to offer a true ultra-low fare service for the long haul,” said Executive Chairman Mark Morabito.

Added CEO Javier Suarez: “With the submission of our manuals to Transport Canada, Jetlines has realized a significant milestone in our operations. We look forward to continuing to work with Transport Canada in order to further our licencing process and satisfying all requirements.”

Suarez arrived at Canada Jetlines earlier this summer as Chief Commercial Officer but was promoted to CEO earlier this week in a C-level shakeup.

Lukas Johnson, a former SVO with U.S. low-cost carrier Allegiant Air, was appointed CEO back in May. It was a short-lived stint.

Jetlines said it has closed its private placement with Johnson for aggregate gross proceeds of $700,000. Johnson was issued 1,627,907 variable voting shares at a price of $0.43 per share.