Etihad Airways Appoints Three UAE Nationals to New Executive Positions

Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, has announced the appointment of three UAE nationals to key executive roles.

Captain Salah Alfarajalla, who has been with Etihad Airways since 2007, becomes Senior Vice President Security and National Pilot Development, Ghudayer Al Dhaheri, who joined the airline in 2013, becomes Vice President Corporate Security,  and Sultan Mohamed Al Mahmoud joins the airline as Vice President Corporate Strategy.

Ray Gammell, Etihad Airways’ Chief People and Performance Officer, said: “I am delighted to announce the new executive roles for Captain Salah and Ghudayer and to welcome Sultan to the Etihad Airways family. Their varied and extensive professional backgrounds reinforce and expand the impressive executive management expertise we have in our team.”

Ray Gammell added: “Captain Salah’s tenure as Vice President Corporate Security and National Pilot Development - a position he has held since 2010 – has been highlighted by renewed strategic planning and insights. He has played a pivotal role in the successful development and efficiency of our aviation security systems and was the driving force behind the  Etihad Airways Cadet Pilot Programme ensuring a continuous  stream of qualified UAE national pilots to pursue rewarding careers at Etihad Airways.” 

In his new role, Captain Salah will be responsible for aviation and corporate security, and will continue to oversee the Etihad Airways’ cadet pilot programme. 

Captain Salah has 36 years’ experience in the aviation industry, incorporating 22 years in the UAE Air Force and Air Defence, from which he retired as a Colonel, and 10 years as Deputy Chief Executive for Presidential Flight.  

At Etihad Airways, he played an instumental role in managing the aviation security systems including physical, technical, operational and procedural security measures. Under his leadership, the cadet pilot programme  grew to more than 700 cadets including more than 600 UAE nationals, and became a fully fledged academic programme when a unique partnership with Abu Dhabi University was forged in 2011 requiring all cadets to obtain a degree in Aviation Science. 

Before joining Etihad Airways in 2013, Ghudayer Al Dhaheri was a UAE Air Force fighter pilot and commander with broad experience both in the UAE and overseas. He was a commandant at the Air Warfare Centre AFAD UAE, and a member of the Royal College of Defense Studies in London, UK. In his new role as Vice President Corporate Security, Ghudayer will report to Captain Salah and will provide strategic policy and management guidance for the implementation of protective and proactive security measures for staff, guests, facilities and other resources within the UAE and in other countries on the network. 

Ray Gammell said: “Ghudayer has indepth knowledge of the region’s security issues and has demonstrated commitment to the highest levels of security for our people, assets and guests. I am confident he will continue to spearhead efforts that strengthen and reinforce relevant corporate security solutions for Etihad Airways.” 

Sultan Mohamed Al Mahmoud joins Etihad Airways from the Tourism Development and Investment Company (TDIC), where he held a number of director level roles which gave him exposure to various Abu Dhabi tourism development stakeholders.  He will put his work insights and experience, gained over the last 14 years, to good use by developing and implementing short, medium and long-term strategies that will see Etihad Airways further strengthen its position as key contributor to Abu Dhabi’s GDP and the UAE more broadly.

Ray Gammell added: “With his experience and participation in board committees, Sultan will add an exciting dimension to our strategy team, especially as we continue to focus on improving our internal governance and strategic frameworks.”