Elena Sorlini had been officially appointed as the managing director and CEO of Abu Dhabi Airports in February 2024, following her interim leadership of the organisation since June 2023.
The appointment marked a new chapter for the company, which operates all five of the emirate’s commercial airports.
With more than two decades of international experience in the avia- tion industry, Sorlini has held senior executive roles across Europe and the Middle East. Her previous positions include vice president at Macquarie Airports, where she managed assets in Rome and Copenhagen, as well as director of strategy at Copenhagen Airports and vice president of Strategic Planning at Oman Aviation Group. She also served as executive director of Transport & Logistics at ADQ.
In addition to her leadership at Abu Dhabi Airports, Sorlini serves on the boards of Etihad Airways, Abu Dhabi Aviation, and ADQ Aviation and Aero-space Services.
Her appointment follows a period of strong performance by Abu Dhabi Airports. In 2024, the company reported 29.4 million passengers across its airports — a 28.1 per cent increase compared to 22.9 million in 2023.
This growth was supported by an expanded airline network, enhanced airport infrastructure, and strategic partnerships aimed at elevating the passenger experience.
A major milestone under her tenure was the successful launch of Terminal A at Abu Dhabi International Airport. The new terminal, one of the largest in the world, has the capacity to handle up to 45 million passengers annually and accommodate 79 aircraft at once, reinforcing the emirate’s status as a key global aviation hub.
Zayed International Airport was a key driver of this growth, expanding its network to over 125 destinations and adding 29 new routes in 2024. Eight new airlines, including British Airways, Air France, Flynas, and Hainan Airlines, began operations at AUH. Aircraft movements across all five airports also rose by 10 per cent, from 226,362 in 2023 to 249,747 in 2024.
Sorlini holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, majoring in Planning and Control from Bocconi University, and a Master’s degree in Corporate Finance. She also holds an Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA) from Copenhagen Business School.
