Kjartansson, long-time air cargo executive, dies

Kjartansson, long-time air cargo executive, dies Thor Kjartansson, a long-time air cargo executive, died suddenly over the weekend. He was 55.

Kjartansson

   After graduating from the University of Iceland, Kjartansson worked for Cargolux Airlines International as a loadmaster on the company’s original CL 44 freighters. He rose through the ranks, moving to the airline’s headquarters in Luxembourg and later to Miami where he was responsible for Cargolux’s operations in the western hemisphere.
   Kjartansson is credited with restructuring Cargolux’s operations, shifting market emphasis and developing new routes in both North and South America. During his tenure, Cargolux’s revenue in the Americas increased six-fold and its profitability was significantly enhanced. During this time, Kjartansson also received his master’s degree from the University of Gothenburg.
   After 17 years with Cargolux, Kjartansson became an entrepreneur. In the late 1980s, he founded MergeGlobal Ltd. in London (an affiliate of U.S.-based MergeGlobal Inc.). He established several companies, including an aircraft ground-handling operation, freight forwarder, and all-cargo airline, in his native Iceland.
   Kjartansson is survived by his wife Gudbj'rg, and two sons, Kjartan and Skuli.