IN MEMORIAM: Hollis L. Harris, Nov. 25, 1931-July 14, 2016

[43S/172E]

Good Evening All:

Just learned of the passing of one of the most decent men in commercial aviation. Mr Harris was the true epitome of a "Southern Gentleman" and when he met you for the first time he introduced himself this way "Hello my name is Hollis Harris and I am an employee of Air Canada".

May his last flight have fair skies and following winds.

IN MEMORIAM: Hollis L. Harris, Nov. 25, 1931-July 14, 2016 It is with sadness that we learned of the passing of Hollis L. Harris, Chairman, President & CEO of Air Canada from 1992-1996. Mr. Harris joined Delta Air Lines in 1954 as a transportation agent, while attending the Georgia Institute of Technology to obtain a Bachelor’s degree. He was promoted to a series of managerial positions and became Delta’s President and Chief Operating Officer in 1987. He later joined Continental Airlines as President and CEO in 1990, and was appointed Chairman, President & CEO at Air Canada two years later.
While at Air Canada, Mr. Harris was a key architect, together with then-Minister of Transport, Doug Young, of the Canada-US Air Services Agreement signed between Canada and the US in 1995, the foundation of the Open Skies Agreement, enabling carriers of both countries to be free to set their own prices for transborder services according to market forces. Together with the purchase of our first Bombardier Canadair regional jets, this agreement enabled Air Canada to undertake a major transborder expansion during the 1990s. Today, Air Canada carries more passengers between Canada and the US than any other airline, and our extensive transborder network is a fundamental component of our sixth freedom commercial strategies.
In 1992, Mr. Harris and Mr. Stephen Wolf, then Chair of United Airlines, signed a strategic cooperation agreement that was the groundwork of what would later become Star Alliance. In 1994, Mr. Harris was named the “Number One CEO” by the Financial Times of Canada.
We extend our condolences to Mr. Harris’ family. On Monday, July 18, the day of Mr. Harris' funeral, the Air Canada flag will be flown at half-mast in his honour at all bases.

http://thecitizen.com/obituaries/hollis ... htree-city

http://www.mowellfuneralhome.com/memsol ... id=1828024