International Airlines Group has appointed Flybe’s chief strategy officer Vincent Hodder as chief executive of LEVEL, its low-cost airline brand.
The group, which owns British Airways, Iberia, Aer Lingus and Vueling, launched Spanish-based LEVEL last year.
It took to the skies in June 2017 and operates flights from Barcelona to Boston, Buenos Aires, Los Angeles and San Francisco as well as from Paris Orly to Montreal and Guadeloupe.
Its current fleet of A330-200s will expand from four to seven aircraft next year.
Hodder has more than 25 years’ experience working with airlines including low-cost carriers such as Jetstar in Australia and Asia and VivaAerobus in Mexico.
He is currently chief strategy officer at UK regional airline Flybe.
IAG’s director of strategy Robert Boyle said: “We’re delighted to appoint Vincent as LEVEL’s chief executive. He has extensive experience in the aviation industry and an in-depth understanding of the low-cost business model. I have no doubt that he will continue to build upon LEVEL’s positive momentum.”
Hodder added: “LEVEL is a start-up that is already performing really well. It’s more than just a start-up airline brand, it’s a new concept that uses technology to provide customers with control over the way they travel and has the lowest possible costs. I’m really excited to join the team in building on the initial success as we create great value for our customers and allow them to access their world in a new way”.