Right here’s a growth that’s a lot larger than yesterday’s announcement about Etihad introducing Armani / Casa facilities onboard.
Etihad hires former TAP Air Portugal CEO
Etihad Airways has introduced that Antonoaldo Neves would be the Abu Dhabi-based service’s new CEO, changing present CEO Tony Douglas. For context:
- Douglas has been CEO of Etihad since 2018, and it’s said that he has determined to pursue one other unspecified alternative; it had been rumored that he’ll be in cost at Saudi Arabia’s airline startup, RIA, so it’s fairly clear that’s what’s happening right here
- Neves most just lately served as CEO of TAP Air Portugal; he was appointed in 2018, however left the function in 2020; he had been introduced in by airline entrepreneur David Neeleman, however when the federal government purchased Neeleman’s shares within the airline, Neves was dismissed
Previous to serving as CEO of TAP Air Portugal, Neves served as CEO of Brazilian service Azul from 2014 to 2017. Going again even additional than that, Neves was concerned within the integration of Azul and TRIP, whereas he was nonetheless working at McKinsey. At McKinsey he labored primarily within the aviation sector.
The 47-year-old Brazilian’s appointment comes on the identical time that the emirate’s authorities transferred Etihad’s possession to wealth fund ADQ.
Right here’s how Mohammed Ali Al Shorafa, Chairman of Etihad Aviation Group, describes this growth:
“Tony has led Etihad by means of a few of its most difficult occasions and has efficiently turned the airline right into a worthwhile and sustainable enterprise over the previous 5 years, as a part of its preliminary transformation program. As we’re getting into our subsequent part of sustainable progress, we’re assured that Antonoaldo will construct on Tony’s legacy. We thank Tony for all of the exhausting work he has delivered. Etihad will proceed to serve Abu Dhabi because the nationwide airline of the UAE, delivering world class providers and exceeding international benchmarks within the close to future.”
My tackle Etihad’s new CEO appointment
There have been just a few individuals I had in thoughts that I assumed would possibly take the function of Etihad CEO, although Neves wasn’t an individual I had considered. I’m intrigued by this choice.
Neves has labored intently with Neeleman for a few years, who might be probably the most well-known serial airline entrepreneur (he has been concerned in WestJet, JetBlue, Azul, TAP Air Portugal, and many others.). I are likely to suppose Neeleman is a little bit of a polarizing determine.
He has little question had a great observe document of beginning airways with good cultures, although these airways haven’t essentially been industry-leading in terms of profitability. I imply, JetBlue, TAP Air Portugal, and WestJet, haven’t precisely finished all that nicely in recent times (not that that is Neeleman’s fault, essentially, since he was solely the founder in some circumstances).
Etihad has gone from having a CEO who lit cash on hearth, to having one who ran the airline in a really disciplined means. I think Neves will largely proceed with Douglas’ imaginative and prescient. My greatest query is that if he’s an A380 fan or not, as a result of I’d positive like to see these Etihad A380s return (then once more, that doesn’t precisely go hand-in-hand with operating the airline with self-discipline). 😉
Backside line
Etihad CEO Tony Douglas is stepping down, presumably to pursue Saudi Arabian airline startup RIA (it’s actually occurring, people!). Former Azul and TAP Air Portugal CEO Antonoaldo Neves has now been appointed as Etihad’s new CEO. Congrats to him on the brand new function, and good luck!
What do you make of Etihad’s new CEO appointment?
