DHAKA: Etihad Airways, the national airline of the UAE has appointed Hanif Zakaria as General Manager for Bangladesh, as per a release.

He will report to Amer Khan, Area General Manager - Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka and the Maldives.

Zakaria’s key responsibilities will be to increase awareness of the Etihad Airways brand and develop and further grow the airline’s relationships with the key travel trade and corporate customers across 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 and was based in the airline’s Saudi office.

He then went on to become the Branch Manager of Saudi Tourist and Travel Bureau before moving on to Emirates where he spent 20 years working mainly in the field of airline trade management.

Peter Baumgartner, Chief Commercial Officer, 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.”

Source: travelbizmonitor.com

BDST: 1715 HRS, JAN 23, 2014