Former head of Portuguese national carrier named CEO of Etihad Aviation Group

Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Aviation Group has appointed Antonoaldo Neves as its new group chief executive officer.

Neves, who was CEO and board member of TAP, the national airline of Portugal, will succeed Tony Douglas, who has decided to pursue an opportunity elsewhere, and will serve during his transition period as an advisor to the board of ADQ Aviation and Aerospace Services Company.

Prior to TAP, Neves was the president of Azul Airlines in Brazil, where he led the company to an IPO in the NYSE. Neves was also a partner at McKinsey and Company, where he developed the long-term plan for the aviation sector development in Brazil, the carrier said in a statement.

“Tony has led Etihad through some of its most challenging times and has successfully turned the airline into a profitable and sustainable business over the past five years as part of its initial transformation programme,” said Mohammed Ali Al Shorafa, chairman of Etihad Aviation Group.

“As we’re entering our next phase of sustainable growth, we are confident that Antonoaldo will build on Tony’s legacy. We thank Tony for all the hard work he has delivered.”

Antonoaldo Neves, group CEO of Etihad Aviation Group, said that Etihad Airways is a global well-known brand in the industry.

“I’m excited to embark on this new role and build on the solid foundation left by Tony and the management team. I am confident that Etihad will prosper into new heights and continue its journey of sustainable growth,” he added.

Etihad reported an operating profit of $296m for H1 2022, while the carrier flew 4.02 million passengers in H1 2022, over 3 million more than last year, with an average seat load factor of 75 per cent.

Read: Etihad Airways reports core operating profit of $296m in H1 2022, as travel demand recovers

Tony Douglas has served as group CEO at Etihad Aviation Group since January 2018, added: “I am proud to have served as Etihad’s chief executive officer over the past five years. The unprecedented challenges stemming from macro-economic conditions faced by the industry were successfully navigated through prudent measures undertaken to position Etihad on a sustainable path for the future.”

Douglas spearheaded and led the airline’s turnaround, as part of its initial transformation plan, by optimising costs, streamlining processes and its travel network.

The Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs transferred full ownership of Etihad Aviation Group to Abu Dhabi-based investment and holding company, ADQ. earlier this week.

Read: Full ownership of Etihad Aviation Group transferred to ADQ