Mr Hijazine will be based in Iran’s capital city Tehran and will be responsible for managing the airline’s commercial operations throughout Iran. (Etihad currently flies three times a week between Abu Dhabi and Tehran). Prior to joining Etihad Airways, Nabil worked as country manager for Qatar Airways in Algiers and, before that, in Jordan. He has also held a variety of senior sales positions in Jordan working for Emirates, Air France, British Airways and Royal Jordanian Airways. In addition to his airline experience, Nabil has also managed a leading travel agent in Jordan.

Mr Hijazine has 24 years of experience in commercial aviation, working within the Middle East and Africa for a number of international airlines.

Geert Boven, Etihad Airways’ executive vice president, sales and services, said Nabil had extensive commercial experience in the Middle East, which will be invaluable in his new role as the airline’s country manager in Iran. He understands the challenges faced by the aviation industry and the importance of the Iranian market in the global growth plans of Etihad Airways.

Etihad’s presence in the Iranian market could expand significantly following the recent signing of a memorandum of understanding between the UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) and the Civil Aviation Organisation of Islamic Republic of Iran (CAOIRI).

Under the new agreement, Etihad Airways has been granted rights to operate 43 additional weekly flights between Abu Dhabi and the five Iranian cities of Tehran, Shiraz, Mashhad, Esfahan and Kish.