Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, has appointed Ahmed Ershood Al Shehhi as its new general manager in Seychelles.

Al Shehhi replaces Rashed Saif Al Shabi who has taken up the role of general manager in Cyprus.

His key responsibilities will include driving commercial results and further enhancing the strong relationships with the airline’s travel trade and corporate customers in Mahé. He will also work closely with international tourism partners in developing the leisure and business passenger traffic between the Seychelles and key destinations across Etihad Airways’ fast growing global network, in the Far East, Asia, Australia, America and Europe.

As part of Etihad Airways’ alliance with Air Seychelles, Al Shehhi will also support Air Seychelles’ service between Mahé and Abu Dhabi, ensuring that passengers travelling with either airline are provided with a seamless travel experience.

Al Shehhi, an Emirati national, joined Etihad Airways in 2008 under its Graduate Management Development Program. He initially worked in the airline’s office in Jakarta, where he gained strong industry experience in sales development, working closely with key industry partners.

Danny Barranger, vice president Global Sales, Etihad Airways, said: “Ahmed has extensive experience working in a commercial environment. He also understands the leisure market and has excellent contacts with local industry partners, making him the ideal candidate for this important position.”

Etihad Airways launched its service between Abu Dhabi and Mahé in the Seychelles in November 2011, and currently operates three flights a week with a two-class Airbus A320 aircraft configured to carry 16 guests in Pearl Business, and 120 guests in Coral Economy class. – TradeArabia News Service