2006 Hall of Fame Recipient

Late Geoffrey Bridges (1933-2004)

Geoff Bridges was elected into the TIACA 2006 Hall of Fame in recognition of his long standing achievements, dedication and distinguished leadership. He is one of the most respected and knowledgeable executives the air cargo industry has ever produced.

After serving as a Gunnery Officer in the Royal Artillery, he gave up his place that he had earned at Oxford University to join B.O.A.C (who later merged with BEA to form British Airways) as a Management Trainee. His illustrious career with the airline started overseas as a duty officer with the flying boats at Basra & Rangoon, but would later include senior postings as both Manager Australia, and Manager Canada.

Returning to the UK, Mr. Bridges was promoted to the post of General Manager Cargo of the airline’s UK cargo business and later, as Cargo Controller, took on worldwide responsibilities before accepting a two-year role as General Manager Marketing & Traffic in British Airways’ European Services Division, responsible for passenger and cargo business.

Between 1983 and 1989, as Managing Director Cargo, he led British Airways Cargo through one of the most successful periods in its history after cargo and mail activities were designated as a Strategic Business Enterprise within the airline, pioneering cargo as a separate business unit within the airline.

He joined Air Canada in 1989 to head up its Cargo division and helped to re-establish the airline as a world ranking cargo airline. In 1991, Air Canada achieved the world's fastest international growth.

In January 1993, Mr. Bridges took on a new challenge when he became General Director (CX) of the embryonic airline Air Russia and while serving as Chairman of Bridges Worldwide played a crucial statesman role as to the the development of the largest global provider of wholesale express networks.

During his career, he helped to pioneer differentiated cargo services with the development of express and perishables products. The introduction to British Airways of the winged container alone, brought the equivalent capacity of 2 B747 freighters, spread over the fleet without the huge capital cost of the aircraft purchase.

Geoff always retained his interest in the air cargo industry, and played an active role in promoting and campaigning on its behalf , most notably as President of The International Air Cargo Association (TIACA) from 1998-2000.