Etihad Airways, the national airline of the UAE, has appointed Neerja Bhatia to the position of Vice President India and Indian Sub-Continent (ISC).
Ms Bhatia joined Etihad Airways in 2004 as Sales Manager Western India, shortly after the airline had launched its flights to Mumbai, its first Indian destination.
She then progressed to become Manager for Western and Southern India, before being appointed as General Manager India in 2007.
Danny Barranger, Etihad Airways’ Senior Vice President Sales, said: “Neerja has played a key role in the expansion of Etihad Airways in India during the last 11 years and has a wealth of experience and expertise which will be key to the continued alignment of our activities together with our strategic partner Jet Airways in this important geographical area.
“We are delighted that Neerja will take up her new role, based in Mumbai, to lead Etihad Airways’ commercial activities across the region as we look to expand our sales operations in India, Bangladesh, Maldives, Nepal, Seychelles, and Sri Lanka.”
Etihad Airways currently operates flights from Abu Dhabi to eleven destinations in India: Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Calicut, Chennai, Cochin, Delhi, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Kolkata, Mumbai, and Thiruvananthapuram.
Together with strategic partner, Jet Airways, both airlines fly between Abu Dhabi and 14 Indian cities, operating more 200 return flights each week.
Within the remit of the Indian Subcontinent region, Etihad Airways also flies daily to Dhaka, Bangladesh; daily to Malé, Maldives; double daily to Kathmandu, Nepal; daily to Mahe, Seychelles, and double daily to Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Flights to the Seychelles are complimented by a daily service, carrying Etihad Airways’ EY code, by the airline’s strategic partner, Air Seychelles.
About Etihad Airways
Etihad Airways began operations in 2003, and in 2014 carried 14.8 million passengers. From its Abu Dhabi base, Etihad Airways flies to 111 existing or announced passenger and cargo destinations in the Middle East, Africa, Europe, Asia, Australia and the Americas. The airline has a fleet of 111 Airbus and Boeing aircraft, and more than 200 aircraft on firm order, including 69 Boeing 787s, 25 Boeing 777-X, 62 Airbus A350s and nine Airbus A380s.
Etihad Airways holds equity investments in airberlin, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, Aer Lingus, Alitalia, Jet Airways and Virgin Australia, and is in the process of formalising an equity investment in Swiss-based Etihad Regional, operated by Darwin Airline. Etihad Airways, along with airberlin, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, Alitalia, Etihad Regional, Jet Airways and NIKI, also participate in Etihad Airways Partners, a new brand that brings together like-minded airlines to offer customers more choice through improved networks and schedules and enhanced frequent flyer benefits. For more information, please visit: www.etihad.com