SpiceJet appoints Kaneswaran Avili as Chief Commercial Officer

New Delhi: Low-cost airline SpiceJet on Friday appointed Kaneswaran Avili as its Chief Commercial Officer (CCO), who will be assuming the post from April 1. Avili, who has several years of experience in the aviation industry, was part of the team that started AirAsia in 2001.

At AirAsia, Avili played a pivotal role in its cross border brand expansion into Thailand and Indonesia. He then partnered the founders of AirAsia to start no frills hotel chain – TuneHotels - and financial services business --Tunemoney, SpiceJet said in a statement.

After successful launch of TuneHotels and Tunemoney, Avili moved to become an independent aviation consultant and took up various consultancy assignments in Macau, Thailand, Philippines and Indonesia, before joining Tigerair in Singapore as its Commercial Director in 2012.

Avili’s appointment to the post comes eight month after Hraish Moideen Kutty, the then CCO, parted ways with the media baron Kalanithi Maran-promoted private carrier.

"His (Avili's) deep domain knowledge on airline commercial across sales and distribution, revenue management, marketing, network planning, airline system and market penetration strategy would be key in transforming SpiceJet's commercial capability and improving overall route and airline profitability," said Sanjiv Kapoor, Chief Operating Officer of SpiceJet.

"Kanesh's joining is part of an ongoing refresh of SpiceJet's management team, with further announcements to be made in the coming weeks," he added.

"The commitment shown by the board and shareholders on the long term future and growth of the company convinced me to take up the challenge of transforming SpiceJet," said Avili.

SpiceJet is India's second largest low-cost airline with over 19 per cent market share in Indian domestic market. The airline currently operates more than 360 daily flights from over 56 airports that includes 46 Indian cities and 10 international destinations.