Spring is a time for new beginnings. And that’s exactly what Air Canada was celebrating at a splashy event on 22MAY.
Gathering on a warm evening in the outdoor waterfall garden at the Sheraton Centre Toronto, a bevy of Air Canada executives and A-list travel trade reps toasted the retirement of the popular, engaging Virgilio Russi (Vice President International Sales) and welcomed his successor, Rocky Lo. Lo was previously Air Canada’s senior director of Asia Revenue Management & Sales.
Lisa Pierce, VP of Global Sales and Air Canada Vacations, noted that Russi’s first trip to Canada was as a Rotary exchange student from Brazil to Winnipeg in the middle of winter.
“Little did he know he would start a three-decade career in travel, initially with American Express and not long after with Air Canada in Brazil, before eventually making his way back to Canada.”
Pierce said Russi “has been incredibly generous with his time, good humour, common sense and experience in nearly every department in global sales. He has been here for the birth of Star Alliance, and foundational in the development of the Atlantic joint venture partnership with United and Lufthansa.
“Your can-do, optimistic outlook on every challenge and opportunity has been invaluable for all of us,” she told Russi. “We will all miss you.”
Russi gave an emotional speech, pausing a couple of times to gather himself before continuing.
“As Lisa said, I started in travel exactly 30 years ago with American Express and then had 28 years at Air Canada,” he told the crowd. “And we’ve been through thick and thin together. That’ s the exciting thing about airlines; there’s never a dull day.
“So, all I need to say and all I have to say is thank you. Thank you for your support. Thank you for your patience. Thank you for your understanding. Thank you for your feedback. Thank you for your enthusiasm. Thank you for your trust. Thank you for your friendship.
“I leave with so many friends, which kind of tells me I’ve done something right,” Russi said with a smile. “And I leave in a very comfortable spot, leaving sales in the good hands of Lisa, one of the brightest and kindest persons I’ve never met, and with Rocky, with whom I’ve worked for so long, now taking over international. He’ll do a great job. He’s the hardest-working person at Air Canada and has a great sense of humour.
“So, all the best to everyone; I hope to see you around.”
Lo told Open Jaw he’s very excited about the new position.
“There are so many opportunities. There are many more new routes to and changes to come in the next five years, especially in the international market, and I’m looking forward to it.”
Lo said he’s been with Air Canada for 20 years, starting as a check-in agent at the airport and then moving to become a flight attendant before joining the management team. Those humble beginnings will help him in his new role, he said.
“It’s important to know we’re not just selling tickets but selling an experience. People want to enjoy their flight.”
Air Canada’s Vincent Gauthier-Dore began the formal part of the evening by thanking the trade and Air Canada partners.
“You play a pivotal role in our success,” he said. “Your commitment and passion drives our progress.”
In a video chat with Open Jaw’s Kathy Buckworth, Pierce also thanked the trade.
Asked about Air Canada’s NDC program, Pierce replied, “I have to say we have come a long way since last June, and we couldn’t have done it without such an actively engaged travel trade partner community. We now have settlements in over 10 countries outside Canada, including the U.K., the U.S., Australia and many more. I’m proud to say that as of this month, we’ve reached 20% of the bookings that are coming through an NDC connection that were sold in Canada. It might have seemed painful along the way, but we are making progress and we’re happy to bring our partners along for the ride.”
Asked about Air Canada’s losses in the first quarter of this year, Pierce noted that year-over-year revenue was up 7%, and that it was due in large part to the great work of the airline’s travel trade partners.
“We’re excited about Q2 because we’re adding 7% capacity,” she said. “We are seeing an increase in overall market demand, which is really great for the industry as a whole, and of course we believe at Air Canada that we’re uniquely ready to capture any opportunity that comes our way.”
Speaking before she introduced Russi, Pierce told the crowd about all the new routes Canada’s largest airline has added recently.
“We’re pleased to highlight service to Stockholm and Tulum from both Toronto and Montreal, to Amsterdam, Copenhagen and Madrid, Toulouse, La Romana, Los Cabos, Austin and St. Louis from Montreal, to Bangkok, Dubai and Singapore from Vancouver, to Osaka, Brussels, Monterrey, Fort-de-France, Charleston and Yellowknife from Toronto,” she said.
What’s particularly great, Pierce explained, is that the routes are spread around the world. “It includes Asia, Latin America, the U.S., Europe, Canada, so we’ve covered all our bases there.”
Air Canada finished the evening by holding a draw for two Signature Class tickets to anywhere in the world it flies. The winner was Merryl Chin of Distinguished Travel.
