American Airlines has appointed Paola Torri as its new Director of Operations for Canada and Mexico, a newly created leadership position designed to support the airline’s continued growth across two of its most important international markets.
The appointment is part of a broader regional leadership transition and reflects the airline’s commitment to strengthening operational performance and customer service in both countries. Torri succeeds a leadership structure shaped by the contributions of the late Tony Gutiérrez and José María Giraldo, who has since moved into a key leadership role within the airline’s U.S. operations.
Torri brings more than 25 years of experience with American Airlines and has held a variety of leadership positions throughout her career. Most recently, she served as People Business Partner for International, based in Mexico City, where she supported teams across Canada, Latin America, the Caribbean, and the United States.
In her new role, Torri will remain based in Mexico City and report to José A. Freig, Vice President of International and Inflight Dining Operations. She will oversee operational initiatives aimed at enhancing reliability, supporting growth, and ensuring a consistent customer experience across both markets.
“I’m honoured to step into this new role and to continue building on the strong foundation our teams have created across Mexico and Canada,” Torri said. “Throughout my career at American, I’ve seen firsthand the dedication and talent of our people, and I’m excited to work alongside them to continue strengthening our operation, enhancing reliability, and delivering the exceptional service our customers expect.”
The appointment comes as American Airlines continues to expand its presence in Canada and Mexico. The carrier remains the largest U.S. airline serving Mexico, operating more than 600 weekly flights during the summer season and up to 760 weekly flights during peak winter periods. Recent network growth includes the addition of service to Puerto Escondido.
In Canada, the airline is scheduled to operate more than 390 weekly flights this summer and has recently expanded its network with a new route connecting Calgary and New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport, complementing existing services to LaGuardia Airport.
With the creation of the new leadership role, American Airlines aims to further strengthen operations and support future growth opportunities across both markets.
