The Alaska Airlines board has elected Ian Morgan as new vice president of cargo while Jason Berry becomes an executive vice president at the Alaska Air Group.
Morgan (main picture) will lead the day-to-day cargo operations and its nearly 600 employees. He will also be responsible for managing the continued growth of Alaska Air Group’s cargo business – operated by both Hawaiian Airlines and Alaska Airlines. He has held cargo leadership roles at British Airways Cargo, Cargolux Airlines, Centurion Airlines and, as as vice president cargo for the Americas, Qatar Airways.
Berry (pictured below) will provide oversight of the cargo business while continuing in his separate role as President of Horizon Air, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Alaska Air Group. He has nearly 30 years of experience leading cargo operations for multiple airlines and at Alaska Air Cargo oversaw the transition of the Boeing 737-400 combi aircraft to next generation 737-700 freighters.
Alaska Airlines officially completed its takeover of Hawaiian Airlines on 18 September, but pledging to maintain both brands.
Air Group president and chief executive Ben Minicucci said: “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.”
Cargo plays a critical role in both the communities the airlines serve. Cargo is a strategic function for the business and enables both airlines to support multiple needs for customers. The company added that the Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines combination was “a unique opportunity to pair complimentary cargo networks that can strengthen both brands globally and domestically, and leverage cargo even more strategically. Both airlines share a knowledge and appreciation for the cargo needs of communities that are uniquely reliant on air travel.”
