Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, has appointed Hanif Zakaria as its general manager for Bangladesh.

Zakaria joins Etihad Airways from Safi Airways, where he held a number of senior sales positions in the Gulf region. He started his career with British Airways in the airline’s Saudi offices.  He then went on to become the branch manager of Saudi Tourist and Travel Bureau before moving on to Emirates Airlines where he spent 20 years of his career mainly in the field of airline trade management.

Peter Baumgartner, chief commercial officer of Etihad Airways, said: “Hanif brings to Etihad Airways more than 30 years of aviation and commercial management experience.  His extensive contacts within the Bangladeshi travel industry will also be invaluable as he continues to strengthen our presence in this market.

“Hanif will make a significant contribution in serving the growing numbers of guests travelling between the UAE and Bangladesh and further afield to destinations across our fast growing global network.”

Zakaria will report to Amer Khan, Etihad Airways’ area general manager - Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka and the Maldives.

Etihad Airways launched daily flights to Dhaka in May 2006 and has carried more than one million passengers on this route to date, a statement said. – TradeArabia News Service