José Ignacio Dougnac Steps Down as CEO of SKY Airline
The executive led the airline through its largest regional expansion and the COVID-19 crisis, consolidating the low-cost model in South America.
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After nearly eleven years with SKY Airline, and just over five as its Chief Executive Officer (CEO), José Ignacio Dougnac has announced his departure from the company. His tenure was marked by a profound transformation, navigating the most severe crisis in global aviation, and a remarkable expansion of the airline's route network.
In a personal statement, Dougnac expressed that he has "nothing but words of gratitude and pride for having led, alongside the tremendous team at SKY, one of the most challenging stages in the company's history." Under his leadership, the airline successfully positioned itself as a relevant player in the region, achieving a growth of over 60% in passengers transported between 2019 and 2025 and strong financial results.
SKY Airline confirmed the news through an official statement, announcing that as of August 1, 2025, José Ignacio Dougnac Vera will be leaving his position. The company also announced that the executive will remain linked to the airline as an advisor to the Board of Directors, which is chaired by Holger Paulmann. According to the airline, this change is part of a joint plan that has been managed since the beginning of 2025 to ensure an orderly transition.
Daniel Belaúnde, a Peruvian economist who has resided in Chile for over 25 years and has a recognized track record of leading growth processes in multinational companies across the banking, retail, and health sectors, will take over as the new CEO. According to SKY, Belaúnde's appointment represents a key step to "lead a new cycle for SKY Airline and continue developing the company's long-term vision and objectives, with a greater focus on strengthening operational excellence and customer service capabilities."
Dougnac's departure closes a cycle that formally began as CEO in March 2020, coinciding with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Reflecting on that period, he recalled that within a week of taking the helm, "we had to leave the offices... I never had an office, and we had to ground 100% of our fleet." He described this phase as "difficult, but full of learning."
Key Information: Dougnac's Tenure at SKY
Who is José Ignacio Dougnac? He served as CEO of SKY Airline from March 2020 to August 2025. Previously, he held the positions of CFO and Corporate Finance Manager.
What was his main achievement? He led the consolidation of the low-cost model, the modernization of the fleet, and the airline's international expansion, even in the aftermath of the health crisis.
What is SKY Airline's current status? The company currently operates a fleet of 36 Airbus A320neo and A321neo aircraft, flying to seven countries: Argentina, Brazil, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Peru, the United States, and Uruguay.
During his time at the company, Dougnac was a key participant in SKY's transition to the low-cost business model, a strategy that, in his words, "would revolutionize the airline market in Chile." Another pillar of his management was the complete renewal of the fleet, which now consists exclusively of Airbus A320neo family aircraft, renowned for their high fuel efficiency.
The growth strategy focused on consolidating the domestic markets of Chile and Perú, where SKY established a subsidiary with a significant market share. This was complemented by an ambitious expansion of its international network.
Dougnac also extended special thanks to Holger Paulmann, Chairman of SKY's Board of Directors, stating that he "gave me his full trust and the opportunity to lead a great company."
Following his departure, he states he will focus on new personal projects, including the Drake School, which he founded in 2021, and furthering his career as a board director.
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