Pierre J.H. Jeanniot

Born near Montpellier, France on April 9, 1933, Pierre Jeanniot, O.C., C.Q. spent his first four years in Addis Ababa where his father was in charge of the railroad owned jointly by France and Ethiopia. Returning to France, and following the death of his father, Pierre emigrated to Canada with his mother at age 14 and became a Canadian citizen in 1954.

While holding a full-time job and raising a family — with his first wife, Mariette Guay - he attended 10 years of university night classes in Montreal, leading to a degree in physics and mathematics at Concordia University, and a diploma in Business Administration at McGill University. In 1955 he joined Trans-Canada Airlines as a junior technician, advancing through operations, marketing and strategic planning, eventually becoming President and CEO.

Pierre contributed to development of the first comprehensive flight data recorder by modifying existing technology to produce the "black box" able to record more data and able to withstand impact and fire. He directed the Computer Systems and Communications Division, which in 1970 developed a computer reservations system. He subsequently oversaw implementation of computer applications for systems operations, flight planning, resource allocation and flight information displays. In 1983, as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, he oversaw the introduction of Business Class flights, a practice later adopted by other airlines.

From 1984 to 1990 Pierre served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Air Canada, and saw twin-engine flights by wide-body aircraft safely introduced on transatlantic routes, and later on non-stop flights between Vancouver and Frankfurt. Under Pierre's direction, Air Canada established the first data link over the Atlantic, enabling flight information to be transmitted electronically and automatically, rather than by radio.

Under his tenure, productivity was increased, the financial situation was improved and customer comfort was enhanced. Despite a threatened boycott from the tobacco industry, Air Canada was the first airline to introduce non-smoking flights in response to customer demand - a practice since adopted by airlines worldwide. New routes were established to India, Singapore and Korea, and a fleet modernization plan was developed to meet needs of Air -Canada's North American routes and long-haul routes.

Pierre headed Air Canada for over six years, and led the privatization process which was accomplished in 1988. This required a major transformation that included closure of a dozen domestic stations. To ensure air services were not only preserved but improved, Air Canada established a network of regional airlines, notably Air Nova (Atlantic Canada), Air Alliance (Quebec), Air Ontario and Air B.C., which operated a fleet of 50 Dash-8 aircraft. Those carriers later merged into Jazz.

Former Minister of Transport, Don Mazankowski, has stated,

"The successful completion of this project reduced regulatory constraints and allowed Canada's major international flag carrier to expand into new international markets, improve productivity, restructure its balance sheet and launch a fleet modernization plan while relieving the government of Canada from the burden of financial support and obligations for Air Canada."

Following retirement from Air Canada, Pierre was elected Director General and CEO of the International Air Transport Association, where he restructured the governance process to improve efficiency. Airline membership in IATA grew from 200 to 280 airlines and included for the first time several Chinese carriers. The first IATA office in China was opened in 1993, followed by establishment of regional centres in Singapore, Miami and Amman.

During Pierre's tenure, IATA became a major supplier to the aviation industry, providing technical and financial services, and training in human resources development. Its Montreal headquarters grew from 250 to 400 employees, and revenue generation from products and services increased from $32.5 million to $300 million.

Through IATA, Pierre convinced the airline industry to recognize its environmental responsibilities. He set safety as its top priority, proposing that satisfactory performance should be evaluated by external agencies and become a condition for membership in IATA. This has since become mandatory.

Donald Carty, a former president and CEO of CP Air and later of American Airlines, an IATA board member, has stated,

"Pierre always conducted himself with honesty and integrity, carefully balancing his responsibility for his employees, the commercial interests of his corporation and other aviation members ... in promoting and defending the interests of IATA and the entire international aviation community."

After 10 years heading IATA, Pierre was granted the lifetime title of Director General Emeritus for his outstanding contribution to international civil aviation. Best known for his contributions to management and innovation, he has also been involved in various professional organizations. A founding member of its Montreal Chapter, he became President of the Canadian Operations Research Society in 1967.

Pierre was subsequently invited to chair a committee of academics set up to propose the orientation in computer science, communications and audiovisual production for the University of Quebec's network of campuses. In 1969-70 he took a one-year sabbatical leave from Air Canada to participate in the creation of the University of Quebec as one of its four Vice-Presidents. In 1972 he was appointed to the Board of the University of Quebec at Montreal (UQAM) and was President from 1972 to 1979. In 1983, he established the Foundation of l'UQAM, serving as its Chairman until 1992. In 1995 he was elected the first Chancellor of l'UQAM and held that position until 2008. In 1983, Pierre established and served as President of the Romeo-Vachon Foundation which helped fund the expansion of a training college for fixed and rotary wing pilots at St.-Honore, Chicoutimi, Quebec.

Pierre is currently President and CEO of Jinmag Inc., his Montreal-based consulting, management and investment company, and continues to provide advice and expertise to airlines, governments, civil aviation authorities, and aerospace and transportation-related companies.

He has been the recipient of many honours and awards, appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada in 1989, Chevalier ole la Legion d'Honneur by the Government of France in 1991, the Chevalier de l'Ordre national du Quebec in 2002. He received the First Medal of Independence from King Hussein of Jordan in 1995 and was inducted into the Quebec Aviation Hall of Fame in 2004.

Pierre is the father of three children, Pierre, Michel and Lynn, and lives with his wife, Marcia David Jeanniot , in Montreal.

Pierre Jeanniot was inducted as a Member of Canada’s Aviation Hall of Fame on June 14, 2012 at a ceremony held in Montreal, Quebec.