Michael Chowdry - Chairman, President & CEO-Atlas Air Inc. (25/01/2001)

A statement by Gareth Kirkwood, Managing Director of British Airways World Cargo:

"We were deeply saddened by the sudden death of Michael yesterday.

Michael Chowdry was an inspirational businessman and a great friend and supporter of British Airways World Cargo.

He was a visionary who understood the needs of his customers. Our business relationship with Atlas Air began five years ago and throughout this time, Michael demonstrated his great knowledge and personal commitment, always working hard to ensure that our agreements were jointly successful for both companies.

Michael created a high quality, niche organisation that will always bear his hallmark. He was prepared to take a financial risk on future market trends in the cargo industry and went on to build a successful and customer-focused company that he led from the front.

Through his dealings with British Airways, he earned the trust and respect of us all. It was my pleasure to meet him again earlier this month at our headquarters in London.

Rod Eddington, our Chief Executive and I have sent our deepest condolences and sympathies to Michael's family and to everyone at Atlas Air."