Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, has appointed Salem Al Mesmari as its new Airport Manager in the Republic of the Seychelles.
Based in Mahé, Al Mesmari is responsible for overseeing the airline’s operations at Seychelles International Airport and the smooth operation of its three times a week service between the Seychelles and Abu Dhabi.
As part of Etihad’s alliance with Air Seychelles, Salem and his colleagues also work closely with the Air Seychelles team in Mahé, providing support and assistance to their operations, ensuring that guests travelling across the two airlines are provided with the highest levels of service.
Al Mesmari, an Emirati national, joined Etihad Airways in 2008 under the Graduate Management Development Programme, and spent two years working in various roles at the airline’s headquarters, and in operations at its hub at Abu Dhabi International Airport. He also built up his experience of airport operations with postings to a number of outstations across the airline’s fast growing global network, including Casablanca, Almaty, Alexandria, Doha and Malé, in the Maldives.
“Salem has a strong understanding of airport operations which will serve Etihad Airways well in the Seychelles. His ability to perform consistently and to the highest standards expected by the airline across a truly diverse range of airports over the past two years ensures that Salem is ideally positioned for his new role as Airport Manager in Mahé,” Chris Youlten, Vice President, Network Operations, said.
Etihad Airways launched its service between Abu Dhabi and Mahé, in the Seychelles in November 2011, and currently operates a two-class Airbus A320 aircraft configured to carry 16 guests in Pearl Business, and 120 guests in Coral Economy class.
Etihad’s schedule to and from the Seychelles is growing in popularity with the many leisure travellers who come from a number of primary and secondary European destinations. They appreciate the fast and efficient sub-90 minute transfer through its hub in Abu Dhabi, enabling them to maximize their time enjoying the many paradise islands that comprise the Seychelles.
Mesmari replaces Rashed Saif Al Shabi who has taken up the position of General Manager, overseeing the airline’s operations in Cyprus.