Seattle-based Alaska Airlines is already making changes following the completion of its acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines last week. On Monday, the carrier announced that it has established new leadership and will expand its cargo division.
Thanks to the merger, the airline said it has a “unique opportunity to pair complimentary cargo networks.” It is expected to strengthen both the Alaska and Hawaiian brands on a domestic and international scale.
New Vice President
Alaska’s board of directors appointed Ian Morgan as the new Vice President of Alaska Air Cargo. Morgan is an industry veteran with more than 40 years of global cargo experience. He has previously worked in cargo leadership roles at British Airways, Cargolux, Centurion Airlines, and Qatar Airways.
Photo: Alaska Air Group
As Vice President of Cargo at Qatar, Morgan is credited with positioning the carrier to become a preferred freight operator, which helped the community achieve significant growth. At Alaska, he will lead the daily cargo operations and oversee nearly 600 employees. Morgan will also be responsible for managing Alaska Air Cargo’s continued growth as it joins forces with Hawaiian.
“The next chapter”
Jason Berry was also appointed as the Executive Vice President of Alaska Air Group, the parent company of Alaska, the carrier’s wholly-owned regional subsidiary Horizon Air, and now Hawaiian. Berry, who was named President of Horizon last year, will continue to serve the role in addition to Executive VP. He will specifically provide enterprise oversight of the cargo business, according to Alaska.
Photo: Alaska Air Group
Berry returned to the airline in November after spending two years at Air Canada. He has nearly 30 years of industry experience and oversees more than 3,000 Horizon employees. Berry has cargo experience, as he was the Vice President of Cargo at Air Canada and worked at Cargolux. He also oversaw the transition of Alaska’s Boeing 737-400 combi aircraft to next-generation 737-700 freighters. Previously, he served as President of McGee Air Services, another wholly-owned Alaska subsidiary. Berry was named “Executive of the Year” by Air Cargo World magazine in 2022.
Ben Minicucci, Alaska Air Group President and CEO, spoke about the leadership changes on Monday.
“We couldn’t be more thrilled about this next chapter for Alaska Air Cargo. With these leaders, we’re well positioned for unlimited future success as we grow and expand our cargo operations to deliver for everyone who depends on us.”
Complementing both brands
Alaska said cargo plays a critical role in the communities that it serves. It also serves as a strategic function for its business and allows both brands to support multiple needs for its customers.
“The Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines combination offers a unique opportunity to pair complimentary cargo networks that can strengthen both brands globally and domestically, and leverage cargo even more strategically,” the airline explained. “Both airlines share a knowledge and appreciation for the cargo needs of communities that are uniquely reliant on air travel.”
Photo: Alaska Airlines
Alaska Air Cargo’s fleet comprises three 737-700 freighters and two 737-800 freighters, according to ch-aviation. Hawaiian operates four Airbus A330-300P2Fs for Amazon Air, which are commonly deployed between San Bernardino, California, and New York. Alaska has not outlined whether Hawaiian and Amazon’s partnership will see any changes following the acquisition.
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Publish date : 2024-09-23 12:41:00
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