• E-mail
• Print
• Comment
• Font Size
• Digg
• del.icio.us
• Discuss article

South African Airways Names Marc Cavaliere Executive Vice President - North America

Posted on: Monday, 22 May 2006, 09:02 CDT

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., May 22 /PRNewswire/ -- South African Airways, South Africa's flagship airline and the continent's most awarded carrier, has announced the appointment of Marc Cavaliere as Executive Vice President-North America. Based at the carrier's U.S. headquarters in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Cavaliere will oversee all aspects of SAA's North American operations including the airline's regional integration into the global Star Alliance.

An airline industry veteran with more than 20 years experience, Cavaliere joins South African Airways from his most recent position as Vice President of Sales and Distribution for low-fare specialist Spirit Airlines. In addition to directing Spirit's sales and distribution strategies, Cavaliere also managed Spirit's Internet sales, e-commerce and the airline's participation in the Global Distribution Systems (GDS).

Prior to joining Spirit in 2001, Cavaliere was Vice President and Senior Partner with Aviation Management, a leading consulting firm specializing in South American and Latin American carriers. His past experience includes five years with American Airlines directing the airline's sales and airport operations in several regions around Latin America and the Caribbean, as well as positions with Pam Am as the airline's last Country Director in Brazil, and as Director of New England responsible for Pan American World Airways, Pan Am Shuttle and Pan Am Express. Cavaliere first joined the airline industry in 1980 while attending college and held progressive marketing and operations positions at TWA and Braniff before joining Pan Am.

Cavaliere will take up the reins for the management of South African Airways' North American operations from Phillip Bekker, who will return to South Africa to take a management role in the CEO's office at South African Airways headquarters in Johannesburg.

"South Africa has undoubtedly established itself as a world-class destination, but I believe there is still untapped potential in the North American market for travel to South Africa and across the region," says Cavaliere. "SAA's daily direct flights from the U.S. to South Africa, its strong African network and its recent induction into the worldwide Star Alliance, uniquely position the airline to be a leading force in growing travel to Africa."

South African Airways is the only airline to provide direct flights from the U.S. to South Africa with daily departures that couple travel convenience and award-winning service excellence. The airline features a young fleet enhanced by new Airbus aircraft with the latest in airline comfort and entertainment options, as well as a style of service and warm hospitality that is proudly South African.

The Economy Class Cabins aboard SAA's flagship A340-600s and A340-300s were recently reconfigured for extra legroom, while the carrier's Premium Business Class is among the most luxurious in the skies featuring a new 24- inch-wide, 180-degree lie-flat seat bed, recently rated as "World's Best Business Class Seat" by Skytrax. For more information on South African Airways, please call 800-722-9675 or visit http://www.flysaa.com/.

Contact: Dale Q. Nicholson, South African Airways; Tel: 954-769-5120 Yael Baker, Ruder Finn PR; Tel: 212-593-6400 bakery@ruderfinn.com

South African Airways

CONTACT: Dale Q. Nicholson of South African Airways, +1-954-769-5120; orYael Baker of Ruder Finn PR, +1-212-593-6400, bakery@ruderfinn.com

Web site: http://www.flysaa.com/

Source: PRNewswire

More News in this Category