UAE. Tony Douglas, an aviation industry veteran who has held Chief Executive roles at both Heathrow Airport and Abu Dhabi Ports Company, has been appointed The Etihad Aviation Group CEO, effective January 2018.
Douglas is tasked with expanding and implementing strategic initiatives to position Etihad for sustained success in an increasingly competitive regional and global aviation market.
He joins Etihad from the UK Ministry of Defence, where he has served as CEO of the Defence Equipment and Support department, responsible for procuring and supporting all the equipment and services for the British Armed Forces.
In the UK, he held senior positions with airport operator BAA, and as Chief Operating Officer and Group Chief Executive designate of Laing O’Rourke. His roles under airport operator BAA included Managing Director of the Heathrow Terminal 5 project, Group Supply Chain Director, Group Technical Director, and CEO of Heathrow Airport.
Previously, Douglas held senior positions in the UAE, most notably as CEO of Abu Dhabi Airports Company and as CEO of Abu Dhabi Ports Company where he was responsible for the successful delivery of Khalifa Port.
Etihad Aviation Group Chairman of the Board Mohamed Mubarak Fadhel Al Mazrouei, commented: “We are delighted to have Tony return to Abu Dhabi to lead Etihad. He has guided the transformation of large organisations in the UAE and the UK, and he understands the UAE and the region. He is also deeply knowledgeable about commercial aviation and keenly familiar with Etihad’s challenges and opportunities in a rapidly changing industry.”
Douglas said: “Etihad is a force in global aviation that must continue to adapt and evolve on its own and with industry partners. It is an economic and employment engine for the UAE and the region. With new infrastructure and attractions like the expanded airport, Louvre Abu Dhabi, and Abu Dhabi Global Market, Etihad has a central role in supporting the UAE’s position as a global hub of transportation, tourism, commerce, and culture.”
Ray Gammell, who has served as Interim Group CEO since May 2017, added: “Etihad and its talented workforce have helped to reshape global and regional aviation. With new challenges and new opportunities, Tony will guide the company into the next phase of its development.”
Douglas will be supported by an experienced group leadership team which includes Gammell, who will return to his position as Group Chief People & Performance Officer; Interim Group Chief Financial Officer Ricky Thirion; Group Chief Strategy & Planning Officer Kevin Knight; Chief Group Support Services Officer Mana Mohamed Saeed Al Mulla; General Counsel Henning zur Hausen; and Vice President Corporate Affairs Amina Taher.
The divisional CEOs will report directly to Douglas, including Etihad Airways CEO Peter Baumgartner; Etihad Airport Services Managing Director Chris Youlten; Etihad Airways Engineering CEO Abdul Khaliq Saeed; Hala Group Managing Director Gavin Halliday; and Robin Kamark who joins as CEO, Airline Equity Partners in October 2017.
