Air Canada Announces Executive Shakeup

WHY IT RATES: For travel agents working with Canadian clients or those looking to visit the country, Air Canada is making executive changes to continue providing travelers with an elite experience.—Donald Wood, Breaking News Senior Writer.

Air Canada President of Passenger Airlines, Benjamin Smith, announced the appointment of Robert Alan (Al) Read as Vice President, Airports – North America today. Prior to this appointment, Read was Vice President, Operations at Air Canada Rouge.

"A top priority for Air Canada is the continual improvement of the airport experience for our customers, including ease of connections," said Smith. "We know this is also a key consideration for global travelers. Al Read, with his wide experience in all aspects of airline operations, is well- suited to lead our airport teams as we take customer service and our airport operations to the next level, especially at our Toronto-Pearson global hub and hubs in Vancouver and Montreal."

As Vice President, Airports – North America, Read has overall responsibility for the strategic direction and leadership of Air Canada's airport operational reliability and customer service delivered across the continent. He also has oversight of Air Canada's Concierge program that offers priority and premium ground services to the airline's most frequent customers at more than 40 airports worldwide.

Read began his career at Air Canada in 1979 on the front line as a ramp Station Attendant at Toronto-Pearson. He has held progressively senior management positions across various branches of customer sales and service, resource planning, cargo operations and system operations control.

In 2012, as Vice President, Operations at Air Canada Rouge, he was responsible for operational aspects of the leisure carrier's start-up and since 2015 overall management responsibility for Air Canada Rouge.

For more information, reach out to your local travel agent.

SOURCE: Air Canada press release.