VANCOUVER — Canada Jetlines has appointed ULCC veteran Jyri Strandman as its new Chief Operating Officer, effective July 1.

With over 30 years experience in the aviation industry, Strandman has held senior positions with several ultra low-cost carriers, including Spirit Airlines and, most recently, India’s GoAir.

“I am very pleased that Jyri has agreed to join Jetlines full-time as Chief Operating Officer. We are lucky to have access to someone of his caliber and experience. Having held progressively senior positions with one of the market leaders, Jyri truly understands the ultra-low cost model and will assist Jetlines with its goal of being the lowest cost operator in Canada,” commented Javier Suarez, CEO of Jetlines.

At Spirit Airlines, the leading ULCC in the U.S., the Caribbean and Latin America, Strandman carried dual roles as Vice President of Flight Operations and Director of Operations, responsible for operational control and regulatory oversight of the airline, including all the regulatory training programs and FAA relationship. Under his leadership, the operational teams successfully introduced 76 additional Airbus A320 family aircraft.

At GoAir, Strandman held the position of COO and as the Accountable Manager, he was responsible for operational control, regulatory oversight and the operations departments of the airline; Maintenance and Engineering, Airport Operations, Flight and Inflight Operations, Rostering, Dispatch and Safety.