TORONTO — Alan Bird, a 25-year airline industry veteran, has joined Canada Jetlines in a dual-purpose role: as member of the Board of Directors and a special advisor to the CEO.

Bird most recently served as Chief Financial Officer for Mexico’s fastest growing ULCC, VivaAerobus, where he was responsible for the purchase agreement for 52 new Airbus 320, the largest deal recorded at that time by a Latin American airline.

Prior to VivaAerobus, Bird served as Chief Financial Officer and board member for Tiger Airways Singapore, and from 1997-2007 he held the role of Finance Director to British Midland International, where he was responsible for the overall financial management and procurement function for the BMI Group of Companies.

Bird currently serves as an advisor to Irelandia Aviation, which develops and delivers low-cost carriers in partnership with airline management and investors. Irelandia has successfully developed five low-cost carriers to date: Ryanair in Europe, Tiger Airways in Asia, Allegiant in the U.S., VivaAerobus in Mexico, and VivaColombia in Colombia. Bird serves as an Advisor to Viva Air, VivaColombia, and Viva Peru on financial matters, including aircraft acquisition and the development of joint ventures for engineering and maintenance initiatives.

Javier Suarez, CEO of Canada Jetlines, who worked with Bird at VivaAerobus, said he is excited to work together again. “He played a key role helping VivaAerobus become the lowest cost airline in America. His experience and support will help us progress in the right direction to soon become the lowest cost airline in Canada,” said Suarez.

On his new appointment at Jetlines, Bird said: “I am very pleased to join my former colleague from VivaAerobus, Javier Suarez, to build Canada’s first true ULCC. The opportunity in Canada remains very exciting. Javier is building a solid team having recently added seasoned ULCC operator Michael Bata as COO, and I am looking forward to working with Javier to continue the build out of the airline.”

Canada Jetlines has granted a total of 225,000 stock options to Bird in his role as a director. The stock options have been issued for a five-year term, with one quarter vesting every six months from the date of grant.