Bob Lekites, 54, is the unlikely chief of the world's ninth-largest airline. In 1974, Lekites started as a part-time delivery driver for UPS.

A native of Lowell, Mass., a city 30 miles north of Boston, Lekites was told by one of his first bosses, "Just remember, if you have an accident, you will be fired."

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Lekites

MEET BOB LEKITES • Title: President, UPS Airlines • Age: 54 • Years with UPS: 34 • Biggest work challenge: Weather • Most challenging cargo? Giant panda bears

Thirty-four years later, it's not trucks that worry Lekites, but big birds.

UPS has a fleet of 264 planes with nine aircraft types: Small Boeing 757 cargo planes hold up to 88,000 pounds while mammoth Boeing 747 freighters carry up to 259,000 pounds. That's the equivalent of 17 male African elephants.

UPS' air hub is operated out of Louisville, Ky. Lekites moved from driver to industrial engineer to manager, living all across the country. In 1996, he moved to Louisville as director of operations and has been heading the airline since 1997.

Q: Tell me how you're handling UPS' record fuel bill.

A: Fuel is now our No. 1 cost item. We have an over $1 billion fuel bill. I can remember paying 84 cents a gallon, and now it's more than $4 a gallon. We'd leave Ontario [Calif., where UPS has a regional air hub] with the pedal to the metal. Now it's another whole aspect. I can't slow too much because I still have to make deliveries, but I can save $1 million per [Boeing] 767 [per year] in fuel by slowing down our descents.

Q: Do you think you'll be able to strike a deal to handle DHL's cargo shipments in the United States?

A: Right now, seven members of my staff are in Atlanta working on the contract. The target date is the end of August. It will be hugely complex, due to handling labels for two different companies, hazardous materials, security, background checks and documentation. If the contract goes through, they'll be our largest customer.

Q: What's the biggest challenge to running the world's ninth-largest airline?

A: Weather is a huge challenge in the airline industry. Last night [June 19] we couldn't refuel because of the lightning. Our planes left about 45 minutes late. But every night when you're on the ramp, it's game time. If a plane can't leave Newark, we still need to deliver the packages. So you have to figure out how you do it. For me, it's fun. We've got a game plan for just about any situation.

Q: How much are you flying internationally now?

A: We fly 17 around-the-world flights on a weekly basis. We fly more international flight hours than domestic, at 52 percent. We went over the hump last year, although we are flying larger planes in the United States, so we're not adding hours.

Q: What was the most challenging shipment you've ever made?

A: The Atlanta Zoo has gotten No. 1 billing for the most challenging. Other than mercury, panda urine is hugely corrosive. We had to get panda diapers made.