Pierre Jean Jeanniot, O.C., passed away in Montreal on June 22, 2025, at the age of 92. A pioneering figure in civil aviation, he played a transformative role as President and CEO of Air Canada and later as Director General of the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
Among his many contributions, he was instrumental in developing the first modern black box, a major advancement in aviation safety.
Beyond aviation, Jeanniot was deeply involved in academia and philanthropy. He served as the first Chancellor of the Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM) and chaired its foundation. His legacy includes numerous honours, such as Officer of the Order of Canada, Officer of the French Legion of Honor, and Chevalier de l’ordre national du Québec.
He is survived by his wife Marcia, three children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. A memorial service will be held on July 10 at the Côte-des-Neiges Funeral Centre in Montreal.
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