Daniel McHugh has been named chief executive for US cargo carrier Southern Air Holdings effective 1 January 2010, succeeding James Neff, the company’s founder and current chief executive, who is retiring at the end of the year but who will remain a board member and significant shareholder.

McHugh is an experienced executive with extensive knowledge of the air cargo industry. He is the former chief executive of DHL Express Asia Pacific. McHugh has served on the boards of directors of Blue Dart Express (India), DHL’s joint venture with Sinotrans, China’s leading logistics and transportation company and with Express Courier Limited New Zealand and Express Courier Limited Australia.