Goersch named AC chief operating officer

Air Canada has announced the appointment of Klaus Goersch as executive vice-president and chief operating officer. In this role he will have responsibility for the safe, reliable and cost-effective operation of the airline. Goersch will have oversight for all key operating areas including flight operations, maintenance and engineering, airports, in-flight service, and systems operations control. Goersch has more than 25 years experience in the airline industry in both senior management and as a commercial pilot. He joins Air Canada from Air Tran Airways where he held the position of executive vice-president of operations and customer service. In this role he had responsibility for all the airline’s operating functions and over the past year, oversaw the operational merger of AirTran Airways into Southwest Airlines, which created the world’s largest low cost carrier. Prior to joining AirTran Airways in 1996, Goersch worked for Mesaba Airlines as director of corporate training. Goersch will be based at the airline’s Toronto hub, effective Oct. 1.