Flair Airlines has announced the appointment of Sumanth Rao as its new Chief Financial Officer (CFO).
After an extensive search and careful consideration, Flair is pleased to welcome Rao to its leadership team.
“After an extensive recruitment process, I am pleased to announce that Flair has hired Sumanth Rao, an experienced aviation finance executive,” said Maciej Wilk, CEO of Flair Airlines.
“His extensive experience and proven track record in the aviation industry represent a significant step in Flair’s ongoing journey toward a stronger future for our customers, employees, partners and shareholders.”
Rao comes to Flair after a 16-year career at Delta Air Lines, where he held various senior finance positions.
Most recently, he has been CFO of Delta Vacations since 2022, where his leadership has contributed significantly to steady, profitable growth. In his previous roles at Delta Air Lines, he managed budgets of over $4 billion per year and led the airport team through a particularly challenging time during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“We are delighted to have someone of Sumanth’s caliber join our leadership team,” said Flair Airlines CEO Julia Haywood.
“His deep expertise in financial strategies and aviation, combined with his passion for making air travel more affordable, is a perfect fit with Flair’s mission. Sumanth’s vision will be central as we continue to redefine what it means to be a low-cost airline in Canada.”
Rao shares Flair’s commitment to providing Canadians with access to a competitive and affordable air travel market. He believes strongly in Flair’s potential to lead the industry and is eager to contribute to the airline’s growth and success.
“I am delighted to join Flair Airlines at such a pivotal time,” said Rao. “Flair’s commitment to providing affordable, high-quality travel experiences appeals to me deeply. I look forward to continuing to work with the talented team to enhance Flair’s financial performance and operational excellence.”
Rao joined the Flair team in Canada on August 19, 2024. He will be based in Vancouver and will also spend a lot of time with Flair’s finance team in Edmonton.
This press release was prepared and distributed by Flair Airlines.
