Combined Alaska-Hawaiian Airline Plans Major Cargo Expansion Post-Merger

Strategic partnerships always bring change and offer a unique perspective that looks forward to a robust trajectory. The Alaska Airlines board of directors appointed Ian Morgan as the new Vice President of Cargo and Jason Berry as the Executive Vice President of Alaska Air Group, also maintaining his current role as President of Horizon Air – the regional carrier of Alaska Airlines. 

From the CEO

The Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines merger was doubted by many in the world of aviation, but it succeeded and conveyed that the deal is pro-consumer and pro-competition, and is fantastic for people who live in Hawaii and the West Coast, said Alaska Air Group President and CEO Ben Minicucci.
 

On the new leadership roles, Ben Minicucci said: “We are 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.”

About the Leaders

Ian Morgan has three decades of global experience in air cargo and aviation. He began his career with British Airways in 1994, followed by a three-year stint with AeroLink, an aviation broking, trading and leasing company. 

In October 1999, Morgan joined Worldwide Flight Services (WFS) as the senior Vice President for cargo in Dallas-Fort Worth and a 12-year stint at Cargolux Airlines as its Vice President for the Americas, followed by leading Centurion Cargo Airlines as President. 

Ian Morgan’s leadership at Qatar Airways as Vice President of Cargo the Americas defined excellence in the air freight fraternity and achieved remarkable growth being chosen as the preferred carrier for cargo. With more than three decades of experience in global cargo, the world of West Coast American cargo is in safe hands.

Jason Berry, with almost 30 years has experience in leading cargo operations. He began his career with Cargolux Airlines and has worked for multiple airlines including Air Canada Cargo, and Alaska Air Cargo. Berry comes from an aviation family. He started his career on the ramp, while still in high school and brings years of industry experience and knowledge. 

In 2019, Berry served as president of Alaska Airlines' wholly owned subsidiary McGee Air Services, where he had oversight for all aspects of aviation services ground handling, aircraft grooming, aircraft mobility services, check-in and gate services.  In 2022, he was awarded the Cargo “Executive of the Year” by Air Cargo World – an air cargo logistics magazine. With a versatile cargo experience and passion for aviation and cargo, Jason Berry will look forward to implementing solid strategies while simultaneously managing his role as President at Horizon Air. 

Operations Run-through

Ian Morgan will run day-to-day cargo operations managing 600 employees of Alaska Airlines Cargo, and Jason Berry will look after the overall cargo business.

Looking Forward to a Bright Future

This unique partnership between both airlines strives to serve the needs of the cargo communities that rely on the respective carriers’ services for freight and in the future aims to enhance its cargo operations with the diverse demands of its customers making the brand more conspicuous than ever.