Angus Kinnear died last week. The former co-founder and CEO of Canada 3000 Airlines was a pivotal figure in Canadian travel, tourism and aviation. He was far from your typical CEO. A tall angular figure, Kinnear could be found striding through Toronto’s Pearson International Airport late at night, or before dawn, often at the aircraft door checking his watch to ensure his flights were ‘pushing back’ on schedule. Employees of the carrier were in awe of ‘AJK’ but proud to follow the professional, passionate, pace he set.
Here are some comments from those who knew and worked for him:
Ken Smith who worked with him at Gatwick Aviation and helped found Air 2000, wrote, “He was passionate about aviation, a highly respected and inspirational leader who always guided colleagues to achieve the impossible.
He has been my mentor and friend for over 50 years and he will be sadly missed by a huge number of people who have been privileged to have known and worked with him. A sad and tragic loss.”
Kinnear was instrumental in setting up the Historic Non-Stop Route between New Delhi and Toronto. Nutan Gupta, the local manager wrote passionately of the man, “who had a vision to commence this route…a dream which he had ever since he spent a few years of his childhood in India during British Era. The passion for this country which we heard many times whenever with him. Against all odds He managed to convince MOCA, DGCA and the Senior Government officials.
“I pay homage to this brilliant man – a thorough gentleman and a visionary! Words not ending – but feelings choked. AJK … you were much respected by the entire C3 family.”
Patrick Johnson of Canada 300 Holidays now lives in the Dominican Republic, as did Kinnear, he wrote,
“I would see him every month in Santo Domingo. He was a true man of routine. I would wait in the main square in the colonial zone where he lived. He would always cross the square with his daily ice cream at 4pm sharp – always! I could never ever address him with anything but ‘good afternoon Mr. Kinnear!’ We would chat for 10 minutes and then life would move forward. Hard to believe after 30 years the first time I saw him he remembered my full name. (An) amazing leader and human being! (Of course, he always was dressed like a sharp dressed man … while I apologized every time for my flip flops and t shirt.)”
Susan Webb, president of Vox International, who worked with Angus Kinnear and knew him well, has the last word:
“What can I say about Angus, or as we referred to him AJK.He was a visionary and perfectionist. A fabulous boss who expected hard work passion professionalism and respect from us all. But he also wanted us to have fun with what we were doing. Some of our Canada 3000 Holiday videos were incredible …. The Full Monty spoof filmed at the airport in the middle of the night is still one of the most creative sales videos produced in the biz. Angus loved it. He always said. Make a statement. Make them remember us. Be better than the rest – that was our theme.
He wouldn’t settle for mediocrity. Canada 3000 had to be the best. The best people. The best service. The best customer experience. We were so proud when Canadian 3000 Holidays was named preferred supplier of the year by CAA just before the end. We wanted Angus to be proud of what we had achieved.
He wanted us all to be proud of our company – which we were.
He was humble. Never wanted to be in the spotlight. No huge ego which is rare in his position. Very English. Very proper.
He also sat in the worst seat in the airplane. Middle seat near the bathroom. The best seats were for our customers he said.
Always dressed in suit and tie! Even while in Amsterdam on a senior management meeting we did a bike tour of the city and Angus had his grey flannels, blue jacket, tie and dress shoes on!!
Amazing sense of humour. His one liners were awesome!
He had an incredible ability to remember peoples’ names – whether you worked at the airport, or in reservations, or flight crew, he called you by name and also had nick-names for many of his team which was fun!
He loved a good laugh, a glass of white wine, a dance and having conversations.
He once remarked “I don’t like passengers they spot my carpets!”
Many of us at Canada 3000, and then following the demise of C3 at USA3000, have fond memories of Angus. He was a workaholic. He lived at the Hilton hotel at YYZ airport so he could watch the C3 planes land and take off. He’d show up at the airport at O5:30am or visit the call centre unexpectedly on a busy day just to thank the staff on the phones. That was AJK.
A mentor, a visionary, a friend, the best boss – a true leader – are the overwhelming comments from C3 staff since the sad news of his passing.
When he retired to Santo Domingo he continued his role holding court in the historic city where he had renovated a fabulous stable. People would come and talk to Angus. Take his advice. Pitch him business ideas. Share a glass of white wine – and he never forgot their names.
Angus Kinnear made Canada 3000 a family – not just a company. The friendships made all of those years ago are still intact around the globe – 20 plus years later. He had undying loyalty from all of us. He was a mentor to so many who have gone on to be leaders in the industry. No one wanted to disappoint Angus. And I don’t believe we did. I know he was proud of what he achieved.
Angus. AJK. Mr. Kinnear you will dearly missed but never forgotten. “
Angus Kinnear was diagnosed with COVID-19 just three weeks ago, the cause of his death was listed as “Sudden Respiratory arrest.” A cancer survivor, Kinnear was unvaccinated out of concern for the consequences or effect of the vaccine.
Founded as Air 2000 in 1988, (the name was changed the following year), by 1991 Canada 3000 was Canada’s largest charter carrier. In November 2001 it collapsed citing the downturn in air travel following the events of September 11.