AirBridgeCargo’s executive president Denis Ilin resigns

On the same day that Richard Forson is to take over the reins of Cargolux after CEO Dirk Reich suddenly stepped down, the all-cargo carrier world was rocked again this morning as AirBridgeCargo’s announced that executive president Denis Ilin has resigned after three years on the job, “in accordance with mutual agreements,” the Russian carrier said.

During his short time at the helm at the airline, Ilin “made a significant contribution to the boosting of the airline’s operational results and overall [freight tonne kilometer] figures, as well as to opening the new ABC stations in North America and Southeast Asia, thus bringing the company to its solid position in the key markets,” his former employer noted.

Ilin’s administration also established long-term business relationships with “key customers and strategic partners, such as Boeing and General Electric,” which resulted in the signing of the major agreement for the delivery of twenty 747-8F cargo aircraft. The latter purchase was notable as it represented a bullish outlook for freighters in a market where capacity is up and bellyhold space is rising fast. The carrier also recently boosted its footprint in Asia, up to 11 destinations in early July.

Ilin began his management career at AirBridgeCargo Airlines as director of operations. He worked as general director of the airline from 2006 to 2008. For the next five years, Ilin was head of aviation for Basic Element, a Russian diversified holding company that focused on expansion and management of Basel’s airport portfolio, developing new mergers and acquisitions projects and strategic partnerships. He rejoined AirBridgeCargo in 2013 as executive president.

AirBridgeCargo has not made any public statements yet as to who will take over Ilin’s position.