IN A bid to increase its
commitment to Africa,
Etihad Airways has
established a new sales
region – Africa Sub-Sahara
and Indian Ocean (AFI).
The new region covers
six countries – South
Africa, Kenya, Nigeria,
Sudan, Seychelles and the
Maldives.
Peter Baumgartner, Etihad
Airways’ chief commercial
ofcer, said: “Africa is
quickly developing into
the next big investment
destination, with business
growth on the rise and
African economies among
the fastest growing in the
world. We are experiencing
strong passenger loads
right across the continent,
with passengers travelling
through our hub in Abu
Dhabi to the key commercial
and tourism destinations.”
To oversee the airline’s
activities across the new
AFI region, Maurice Phohleli
has been appointed vp
for Africa Sub-Sahara and
Indian Ocean, and will be
based in new ofces in
Johannesburg. This will
not affect current working
relationships between travel
agents and Etihad’s account
managers in Johannesburg,
Cape Town and Durban,
says Xenia Adamou, gm of
Etihad Airways South Africa.
The new regional sales
ofce will remain separate
from the current South
African operation, which will
continue operating at its
ofces in Sandton.
“The establishment of the
new regional sales ofce in
South Africa is testament
to Etihad’s commitment
to both South Africa and
the African continent as
a whole. Our aim is to
further entrench our good
relationships with the travel
trade and to continue
offering advantageous
commercial opportunities
to our partners,” Xenia
explains.
Maurice was previously
based in South Africa when
he was appointed gm of
Etihad for the country in
2010. He then headed to
Nigeria in 2012 to launch
Etihad’s new route between
Lagos and Abu Dhabi.
