TORONTO — Canada Jetlines Ltd. says it has hired an ultra-low-cost carrier expert as its new Chief Commercial Officer.

Javier Suarez takes over the post effective July 30.

Most recently he was Vice President, Network Planning, Revenue Management, E-Commerce with Mexican low-cost carrier VivaAerobus, part of the senior management team that improved profitability from a break-even in 2014 to becoming the most profitable airline in Mexico in 2017.

During his tenure Suarez was responsible for growing the LCC’s fleet from 13 to 32 aircraft between 2014 and 2018, managing the majority of commercial functions, including the online commercial distribution and negotiations with various third-party vendors. Jetlines adds that during the last four years he launched 55 routes with a 98% success rate.

Suarez’s previous experience includes senior roles with Spanish LCC Vueling Airlines from 2010 to 2014. He managed the network of the airline, growing the fleet size from 38 to 105 aircraft in a four-year span, and defined the Vueling network strategy that operated close to 400 routes that generated over US$2 billion in revenue, according to Jetlines. He was also responsible for launching more than 200 routes over three years, achieving a 92% success rate.

Prior to Vueling, Suarez was with Qatar Airways from 2008 to 2010 as Senior Strategist.

Jetlines CEO Lukas Johnson says: “I am excited to bring Javier to the Jetlines team. Javier’s ultra-low-cost carrier expertise in network planning and revenue management gained with many years of experience at VivaAerobus and Vueling will be invaluable as we continue to develop and deliver on the Jetlines strategy. I look forward to working closely with Javier to build Canada’s first true ultra-low-cost air carrier.”

Jetlines announced in May that Johnson, a former SVP with U.S. LCC Allegiant Air, was taking over this month as CEO.

Then last week Jetlines announced it had signed a definitive lease agreement for two Airbus A320 aircraft, with delivery scheduled for the first half of 2019.

Back in March Jetlines said it was delaying its launch, originally scheduled for this month, and said it wouldn’t have a new launch date confirmed until the second quarter of this year.

If Canada Jetlines does get off the ground it faces competition from LCCs including Flair Airlines and WestJet’s Swoop.