Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, has appointed Mr Norio Inaba as its new General Manager for Japan.
Norio, a Japanese national, has more than 25 years of experience within the travel industry including senior sales management roles at American Airlines, American Express Nippon Travel Agency and American Express International Inc in Japan.
Peter Baumgartner, Chief Commercial Officer of Etihad Airways, said that Norio's appointment would bring valuable industry experience and leadership to the airline's Japanese operations.
"We are fortunate to have a senior executive of Norio's calibre joining our global sales team.
"His many years of experience in aviation and the corporate travel market will be a great asset to our business in Japan.
"He brings a vast network of business and travel industry contacts which will be a powerful arsenal in our strategy to expand our share of the Japanese travel market."
Norio said: "I am honoured to be joining such a world-beating airline and to have responsibility for leading its strategy in the Japanese marketplace.
"I look forward to working with the local team and our industry partners to achieve even greater commercial success."
Norio will commence in the Tokyo-based role on June 11, reporting to Joost den Hartog, Etihad Airways' Vice President for Asia Pacific North and the Indian Sub-Continent.
Etihad Airways commenced services to Japan in February 2010. Today, the airline operates 10 services a week to its two gateways, Nagoya and Narita (Tokyo) with a fleet of Airbus A330-200 aircraft configured in two classes, Pearl Business and Coral Economy. Etihad Airways employs a total of 111 Japanese nationals across its global operation including approximately 80 Abu Dhabi-based Japanese cabin crew.
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About Etihad Airways
Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, began operations in 2003, and in 2011 carried 8.3 million passengers. From its hub at Abu Dhabi International Airport, Etihad serves 86 passenger and cargo destinations in the Middle East, Africa, Europe, Asia, Australia and North America, with a fleet of 68 Airbus and Boeing aircraft, and 100 aircraft on order, including 10 Airbus A380s, the world's largest passenger aircraft. Etihad Airways also owns nearly 30 per cent of airberlin, Europe's sixth largest airline, and 40 per cent of Air Seychelles and almost five per cent of Virgin Australia. For more information, please visit: www.etihad.com
For more information contact:
Stephen Mahoney
Senior Manager Communications - Australia and Asia
E: smahoney@etihad.ae
M: +61 488 125 538
© Press Release 2012
