Emirates appoints UAE nationals to GCC management roles

Dubai-based airline Emirates has appointed UAE nationals to lead its commercial teams across the GCC, it announced on Tuesday.

The new appointments will see five commercial managers take on leadership roles in the region.

“The rotations will help further strengthen the airline’s commercial footing across the region and help position it in its next stage of development,” the statement said.

As part of the changes, Omar Al Banna has been appointed as the new country manager for Kuwait. He joined Emirates in 2006 and most recently served as the corporate sales manager at Emirates UAE Sales.

Al Banna’s previous role has been allocated to Mohammed Al Nahari Al Hashemi, who has worked for Emirates for the last 12 years. He has previously held country manager roles in Kuwait, Syria and Indonesia, as well as a sales manager role in India.

Tariq Almutawa, who was earlier the country manager of Bahrain, has now been appointed to lead Qatar.

Meanwhile Omar Alhemeiri – currently commercial support manager – has been appointed as manager of Bahrain.

The current manager at Qatar, Saeed Bin Hafez, has now been appointed as manager of Oman.

Sheikh Majid Al Mualla, divisional senior vice president Commercial Operations, Centre said: “Market dynamics are constantly evolving in each of our destinations in the Middle East, each with its unique challenges and opportunities.

“These appointments, and the combined commercial expertise and industry knowledge our UAE nationals brings to each role, will be central to meeting our challenges, and advancing new business development opportunities for the future.”

Emirates, which posted a record 56 per cent jump in net profit for its fiscal year ended in March, has been reported to be making certain management changes.

In June it was reported that Christoph Mueller, the man hired to turnaround Malaysia Airlines, could be taking a position at Emirates.

The CEO is said to be leaving Malaysia Airlines in September and will reportedly take up the position of chief transformation officer at Emirates, leading the company’s digitisation strategy.

Read more: Malaysia Airlines CEO linked with Emirates