News / Centurion's Ian Morgan quits – winging his way to a senior desk at Cargolux?

04/03/2014

An internal letter from Centurion Air Cargo owner Alfonso Rey to staff, concerning the resignation of Ian Morgan as president, has triggered speculation that he is in the frame for a Cargolux job.

The letter – seen by The Loadstar but not authenticated – reads: “It is with bittersweet sentiments that I formally advise you of Ian Morgan’s imminent departure as president…Ian has been offered the opportunity to be at the helm of another carrier… Knowing the carrier with whom Ian will be working I know we can expect a strong relationship both now and in the future…”

Mr Morgan was previously Cargolux’s vice-president of the Americas, and worked with both Uli Ogiermann, now cargo chief at Qatar Airways, and Cargolux sales boss Robert van de Weg.

Centurion is also known to have a close relationship with Cargolux. In February it wet-leased a 747-400F from the Luxembourg carrier, and at one point it was named as a contender for Cargolux’s 33% share. It recently launched a new hub at Amsterdam Schiphol.

However, a spokeswoman for Cargolux denied Mr Morgan was being considered as the new CEO, saying: “He has not been approached for this position”.

There are, of course, two other key roles up for grabs at the carrier, which recently suffered the resignations of Mr van de Weg and Peter van de Pas, COO. Whether the carrier would appoint a key manager without the say-so of a new CEO, however, could be in doubt.

Mr Morgan is thought to be leaving Centurion in mid-March.

According to the Luxembourg media, two people have put themselves forward for the CEO role at Cargolux.

Retired former vice-president of the carrier, Lucien Schummer, 67, also a director of Cargolux Italia, is thought to have applied. A specialist in the Japanese market, he retired in 2012. The other name in the hat is Robert Schaus, the government ‘informateur’ who advised in favour of the deal with HNCA. A partner at Bain and Co, the management consultant, his specialist area is Ukraine.

A board of directors will decide on the appointment on March 26, said local media.