ETIHAD Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), has appointed Abdelrahman Abdullah Al Madhloum Al Suwaidi as its new general manager for Cyprus. Al Suwaidi will lead the further development of Etihad Airways' commercial strategy in Cyprus, ensuring the continued success of the airline's business in the eastern Mediterranean region. An Emirati national, Al Suwaidi joined Etihad Airways as sales manager in 2013 and previously held sales leadership positions within prominent property and travel companies across the UAE. Al Suwaidi takes over from Rashed Saif Al Shabi, who has been appointed area general manager for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Peter Baumgartner, Chief Commercial Officer of Etihad Airways, said: “We are delighted to welcome Abdelrahman to our global commercial team. “His career spans almost two decades, including leadership roles in sales, marketing and airline operations, and we know he will make invaluable contribution towards the growth of Etihad Airways' operations in Cyprus as well as in Europe. “Our Larnaca route is a strategic business and leisure destination in Etihad Airways' fast-growing network, and Abdelrahman's appointment now provides even more opportunities to strengthen trade, tourism and cultural ties with the UAE and the rest of our expanding network.” Etihad Airways launched services between Abu Dhabi and Larnaca in June 2009, and has recently announced that it will increase flights from three to seven per week from 1 July to 30 September 2014, and back to five services per week for the winter 2014/2015 season. All services to and from Larnaca are operated using a two-class Airbus A320 aircraft configured to carry 16 guests in Pearl Business Class and 120 in Coral Economy Class. — SG
