UPS Airlines President Retires

The president of UPS Inc.’s freight airline has retired after working for the company for 36 years.

Robert Lekites, president of UPS Airlines, had led the air business since 1997, UPS said in a statement.

Mitch Nichols, vice president of UPS Air Group, has replaced Lekites.

Lekites started at UPS in 1974 as a delivery driver. He worked in a variety of management positions before being selected to lead the airline.

Lekites oversaw a period of tremendous growth, UPS said, including routes to new countries, new equipment and acquisitions. He also oversaw major expansions of hubs in Louisville, Ky., and Cologne, Germany.

UPS is ranked No. 1 on the Transport Topics 100 listing of U.S. and Canadian for-hire carriers.