CALGARY — WestJet has named Arved von zur Muehlen as its new Chief Commercial Officer.

Von zur Muehlen is set to join WestJet on Jan. 2, 2019, subject to Canadian Immigration approval.

“Arved is an accomplished and successful commercial leader with deep expertise in aviation,” said Ed Sims, WestJet President and CEO. “We welcome Arved at this important moment in time for WestJet as we position ourselves as a premium global carrier. His experience leading the transformation of global aviation brands will be vital and we are thrilled to welcome Arved to our team.”

Reporting to President and CEO, Ed Sims, Von zur Muehlen will lead WestJet’s commercial team with responsibility for all aspects of the commercial function including sales, marketing, product, network planning, revenue management, corporate development, airline partnerships and WestJet Vacations.

He brings more than 20 years of commercial aviation experience to WestJet and will be joining the airline from Malaysia Airlines, where he served as Chief Commercial Officer responsible for the sales, revenue management, network planning, marketing and branding, product development, digital and customer experience.

Prior to his role at Malaysia Airlines, he served as the Senior Vice-President of Commercial Network Operations at Qatar Airlines and the Vice-President of Sales and Marketing Intercontinental Markets at Swiss International Airlines. Von zur Muehlen also spent over 15 years with Lufthansa German Airlines where he took on various leadership roles. He is fluent in both German and English and will be relocating to Calgary with his wife and three children pending immigration approvals, says Sims.