Canada Jetlines Ltd. (TSX-V: JET) (the “Company” or “Jetlines”) is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Jordi Porcel as Chief Sales, Marketing, and Customer Experience Officer.
CEO Javier Suarez commented, “I am thrilled to welcome Jordi to the Jetlines team as we build out our commercial department. Jordi’s extensive experience working for fast-growing low-cost carriers, as well as his vocation to design and deliver the best customer experience, is fantastic news for Jetlines.”
Javier Suarez and Mr. Porcel worked together at Vueling from 2012 and 2014. Mr. Porcel was then Vueling’s Chief Sales Officer. Together, they helped Vueling expand rapidly and profitably in Europe going through the global financial crisis. Mr. Porcel was responsible for all non-direct sales, accounting for 57% of Vueling’s revenue totalling approximately €700 million. During his tenure, Mr. Porcel led the study, design and initial work on a new platform to manage group booking requests for the airline, including tour operators and charter business. In addition, he streamlined processes between key commercial departments for more efficient and cost-effective day-to-day operations.
More recently, reporting to the Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Porcel was the head of Europe at Air Arabia, a fast growing and profitable low-cost carrier. Mr. Porcel was responsible for implementing the Company’s strategic sales, marketing and communication initiatives in Europe. During his tenure, Mr. Porcel helped grow the European business by 26%. Prior to his role at Air Arabia, Mr. Porcel was the General Manager of Spain at Etihad Airways from 2014 to 2016. He was responsible for initiating Etihad’s operations in Spain and accountable for managing all commercial activities in the new region. From 1988 to 2011, Mr. Jordi Porcel worked at British Airways where he held progressively senior positions, ultimately holding the position of Regional Commercial Manager for Spain, Portugal, and Latin America leading the integration of the Commercial teams with Iberia, after the merge of the two companies under the IAG Holding.
Mr. Porcel holds an AMP (Advanced Management Program) from IESE Business School – Universidad de Navarra in Barcelona, an Executive MBA from IE Instituto de Empresa in Madrid, a BA from WITS University in Johannesburg, and a Commercial and Marketing degree from ESEM School in Madrid. He also studied at the IBM Business School in London.
In connection with his appointment, Mr. Porcel will be granted 250,000 Restricted Share Units (“RSUs”). The RSUs vest over a three-year period from the date of grant, with one third vesting at the end of each year during the three-year period.