Dubai carrier Emirates has made three key management movements within its commercial and cargo operations team in the Middle East region effective from June 1.

The changes place UAE national talent in key positions that will enhance the airline’s commercial and cargo presence in the region, said a statement from Emirates.

Welcoming the appointment, Thierry Antinori, the executive vice president and chief commercial officer, said: "The Middle East’s market dynamics continually present us with unique challenges and opportunities. All three Emiratis who will be taking on new roles have a deep understanding of the business and operations at Emirates, from both the passenger and cargo side."

"We believe that this will strengthen our leadership team and will deliver significant benefits to maximise our commercial performance in the region," stated Antinori.

In the UAE, Emirates has appointed Abbas A Haji as vice president (hub operations) for SkyCargo. In his new role, Abbas will be managing Emirates SkyCargo’s hub operations in Dubai at both Al Maktoum International Airport and Dubai International Airport.

Haji started his career with the Emirates Group in 1977, working for dnata Cargo. Since then, he has held several key positions across the group including as Vice President Iran, Iraq and Central Asia, running the airline’s commercial operations activities in multiple markets.

Mohamed Khoory will be taking on the role as manager for Iranian operations.

Khoory joined Emirates in 2011 as part of the UAE National Management Programme for Commercial Operations. He held commercial support roles in India and the US before taking on the role as district manager in Dammam, Saudi Arabia.

More recently, he held the role of manager for Jordan and West Bank, heading the market’s commercial and business development activities.

In Jordan, Emirates has appointed Sultan Alriyami to drive its commercial priorities in the market as well as build on the airline’s business performance as Manager Jordan and West Bank.

Alriyami joined Emirates in 2014 as part of the UAE National Trainee Management Programme for Commercial Operations. Since then, he has held commercial support roles in Singapore, and more recently in Iran.-TradeArabia News Service