Etihad Airways Appoints New Vice President of Corporate Communications

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (SANEPR.com) January 2, 2007 -- Etihad Airways, the National Airline of the UAE, has appointed lain Burns as its new VP of Corporate Communications. He will report to the airline’s CEO, James Hogan, at Etihad’s Abu Dhabi headquarters. Mr Burns, 48, previously held the same position for five years at British Airways in London.

He joined BA in September 2001 from the public relations consultancy Bell Pottinger, where he handled European and North American PR programmes for Dubai-based Emirates.

“Etihad's future growth and development means that both external and internal communications will rise in importance, and Iain’s experience in the aviation sector is ideally suited in telling the story of our expansive agenda to the media and our own employees,” said James Hogan.

Iain Burns left British Airways in October 2006, his second spell at the airline having managed its Press Office in the late 1990s for three years.

Prior to that lain Burns was the PR Manager for American Airlines in the UK, and he held a similar positions at both BM Heathrow and Manchester Airport.

His corporate communications career began in the industrial sector at British Nuclear Fuels Limited.

“This is an exciting time to join Etihad which has come a long way in a short period of time and has great plans for the future. I am very much looking forward to playing my part in articulating the airline's formidable strategy to a growing audience around the globe,” added Mr Burns.

It is anticipated Iain will take up his new role in January 2007.


About Etihad Airways
Etihad Airways is the National Airline of the United Arab Emirates and based in the UAE’s capital, Abu Dhabi. Currently Etihad offers flights for Guests and cargo to 47 destinations in the Middle East, Europe, North America, Africa and Asia.

Etihad Crystal Cargo – www.crystalcargo.ae – offers a comprehensive range of cargo services throughout Etihad’s network, and services its many all-cargo destinations and world-wide charters with a fleet of modern regional freighter aircraft.

Etihad Holidays - www.etihadholidays.com - offers a range of innovative holiday options in 82 destinations including skiing, fly-drives, cruises, tours, stopovers, inbound programmes and city breaks.

Through these exciting divisions, Etihad Airways is changing the way people see the world. Etihad Airways has been awarded the titles of the World’s Leading New Airline in 2004, 2005 and 2006, and the World’s Leading Flat-Bed Seat in 2006 by the World Travel Awards. Etihad has also been voted the Airline of the Year in the Middle East by the 2006 Pax International Magazine Readership Awards, for its outstanding food and service.

For more information about this award-winning aviation group, please visit www.etihadairways.com.