< Previous14 | ATLAS BY ETIHAD | November 2023 Two decades ago, the visionary leaders of the UAE, along with Etihad’s founder, embarked on a journey with a profound vision for the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and the UAE. This vision required a key player, an international airline that would serve as a bridge for trade, investment, and tourism. It was to foster international relationships and place Abu Dhabi fi rmly on the global map. The birth of Etihad Airways marked the realisation of that wise vision. His Excellency Mohammed Ali Al Shorafa Al Hammadi Chairman of Etihad Airways The many faces of the Etihad family Meet some of our longest- serving employees, who share their most memorable moments working for Etihad Airways Etihad Airways represents much more than an airline, it embodies a symbol of our nation’s shared aspirations, unity, and limitless ambitions. Over the course of two decades, Etihad has played a pivotal role in shaping the economic landscape of Abu Dhabi and the UAE. Its steadfast growth has been a driving force behind the expansion of our economy. As we celebrate our 20th anniversary, we acknowledge that the impact of Etihad reaches far beyond its role as an airline. It has seamlessly integrated into our economic ecosystem, making valuable contributions to sectors, ranging from tourism and hospitality to facilitating international trade and enterprise. Its unwavering success has not only driven the growth of these industries but also placed Abu Dhabi onto the international stage. In refl ecting on this remarkable journey, the sense of pride in serving as the national airline of the UAE becomes even more profound. Etihad Airways embodies our unwavering dedication to excellence, showcasing the UAE’s commitment to the world. Looking ahead, we remain fi rmly committed to the vision of our founding leaders. I am confi dent that Etihad, in collaboration with its strategic partners, will continue to play a pivotal role in shaping the country’s economy and connect Abu Dhabi to the world. Happy 20 years to Etihad Airways, a symbol of progress, innovation, and prosperity. EtA_01-NOV-2023_13-17_Bios_13056558.indd 1401/11/2023 16:35November 2023 | ATLAS BY ETIHAD | 15 Throughout my 20-year career at Etihad Airways, I have met a lot of remarkable guests. I’ll always remember a little girl travelling with her family to meet her grandma for the fi rst time. I made an eff ort to talk with her and her family and show her around the aircraft. When we reached our destination, the sight of that little girl rushing into her grandmother’s arms reminded me of why I love my job. I always advise my colleagues to go the extra mile for our guests. It doesn’t matter how small the gesture may seem – it can make a big diff erence to someone’s day. Salah Kermoud Cabin Manager Despite family opposition, lack of education, and fi nancial diffi culties, I never gave up on my dream to fl y. When I moved to Delhi to study, my family cut ties with me, as I was expected to stay in my village. After working hard and learning English from YouTube videos, I fi nally landed my dream job at Etihad in 2022, becoming the fi rst woman from my village to work abroad. Since then, I’ve travelled to 23 countries, conducted talks at schools in India to empower girls, and reconnected with my family. I’m really excited for them to visit me in Abu Dhabi and to experience their fi rst fl ight. Mamta Choudhary Cabin Crew Leading my team during the global COVID-19 pandemic and being able to implement initiatives that made a real diff erence during that challenging time is something I am really proud of. It also taught me some important lessons, like how teamwork and planning can make a big diff erence. My motto is excellence is not a destination but a continuous journey. Muna Alkaabi Performance Manager EtA_01-NOV-2023_13-17_Bios_13056558.indd 1501/11/2023 16:3516 | ATLAS BY ETIHAD | November 2023 I have been fl ying for over 15 years, and the thrill of ascending into the air, fl ying over the clouds, and taking in the scenery below has never completely worn off ! I’ve experienced many unforgettable moments with Etihad, including flying with my older brother, Luay. It was something I’ll always cherish. I’ll also always remember a flight to London when the crew noticed a five-year-old boy’s passion for planes. They invited him to the cockpit after landing, and I was delighted to show him around. It was magical to see his eyes light up with wonder and to create such a special memory for him. Lutfi Alhashmi Captain I’ve always dreamt of following my father’s footsteps and joining my brothers in aviation. It’s a family legacy, and I’m proud that all three of us are part of the Etihad Airways family. There’s something magical about fl ying – the thrill of discovering new places, experiencing diff erent cultures, and seeing the world from a diff erent perspective. It’s a feeling of freedom that’s hard to describe. Among the countless memorable moments I’ve experienced, one truly stands out. On a fl ight from New York back home to Abu Dhabi, I was treated to an unforgettable view of the northern lights from the cockpit. Mansoor Alhashmi First Officer One of my fondest memories with Etihad Airways is fl ying with my brother, who is also a pilot. As we have an unspoken understanding, the fl ight felt so relaxing! It was a very proud moment for our family. I love my role, especially meeting new crew members and becoming a team that provides memorable guest experiences. But my favourite moment is disconnecting from autopilot and landing. Recently, I also had the honour of fl ying our fi rst fl ight from Abu Dhabi to Copenhagen – it was an unforgettable experience. Luay Alhashmi Captain EtA_01-NOV-2023_13-17_Bios_13056558.indd 1601/11/2023 16:35November 2023 | ATLAS BY ETIHAD | 17 I love my role as an Etihad Airways pilot because the thrill of fl ying is indescribable, and the views from 40,000 feet are priceless – all while meeting people from around the world. One of those unforgettable encounters was when I had a lady onboard, who had never flown before. She was terrified of flying and wanted to leave the aircraft just minutes before pushback. I talked to her for about five minutes and convinced her to trust me. Throughout the flight, I kept checking on her to ensure she was feeling well. Seeing the pride and joy on her face when we landed made it all worth it. Jihad Richard Matta Captain / Head of Crew Performance and Support My first flying job was in my home country of Papua New Guinea, where I was landing on bush strips, and dodging crazy weather. They say if you can survive flying in PNG, you can survive flying anywhere! One of the most memorable moments of my career was flying the A330 with my father, who was also a Captain with Etihad Airways. Together, we operated the flight from Abu Dhabi to Brussels, and the entire crew celebrated this special moment with us. Working with my head in the clouds (literally) and witnessing stunning sunsets and sunrises from the cockpit is truly a privilege! Nigel Narara Captain My Etihad Airways career has been unforgettable. One of my most cherished moments was when I fl ew the world’s largest passenger aircraft, the Airbus A380, on my fi rst solo fl ight. And becoming the UAE’s fi rst female commercial aviation captain was another unforgettable milestone. As a pioneer in my country’s aviation history, I often receive verbal praise and notes from guests, especially women, expressing their pride in me. I always fi nd that these interactions are humbling and heartwarming. One of my favourite things about my role is that each fl ight is a unique experience, making it exciting every day! Aisha Hassan Al Mansoori Captain EtA_01-NOV-2023_13-17_Bios_13056558.indd 1701/11/2023 16:3518 | ATLAS BY ETIHAD | November 2023 Working on the first-ever Etihad Airways flight in 2003 and seeing the evolution of the airline since then makes me so proud. I’ll always remember when I received the call to let me know I got promoted to the Cabin Manager role for Etihad. It was 2005, I was on vacation, and my mother was beside me. Her eyes sparkled with tears of joy as we celebrated this huge news together. Even now, 18 years later, that moment still fills me with pure, heartfelt emotion. My advice is to work hard with integrity and embrace every situation. And always try to see the bigger picture. Pushpa Singh Flight Safety Data Analyst I will never forget 12 November 2003 – the day I proudly managed Etihad’s first commercial flight to my country’s capital city, Beirut. It was a momentous occasion that filled me with a mix of excitement and fear. But the day went remarkably well, and I knew I had found my true calling. That marked the beginning of my exciting and rewarding career in aviation. Since then, I’m proud to have witnessed every part of Etihad’s immense evolution. Maha Zahed Duty Supervisor, Beirut Airport My fi rst fl ight with Etihad made me fall in love with aviation and the technology it requires to get these aircraft fl ying. Signing my contract with Etihad in 2014 was truly a dream come true. My next goal is to work as an engineer on a fl ight with my family on board as guests. Getting my dream role has made me believe that everyone should follow their dreams with dedication. I live by the motto choose a job that you love, and it won’t feel like work, even when the pressure is on. Remember to enjoy the journey. Salem Adeeb Alzaabi Graduate Engineer EtA_01-NOV-2023_13-17_Bios_13056558.indd 1801/11/2023 16:39November 2023 | ATLAS BY ETIHAD | 19 I joined Etihad in June 2004 and there has rarely been a dull moment ever since. I helped set up the sales team in the UK as the airline was starting its service to London and over the years have taken huge pride in seeing the people I have recruited go on to achieve great things. Joining a start-up airline was a big career gamble for me then, but looking back at my decision now, I wouldn’t have it any other way. There has been so much positive change at Etihad over the course of the past 20 years, and it has been fantastic to see the airline earn the reputation it now enjoys. Tim Lorimer Global Sales Manager When I was entrusted with the opportunity to lead our people operations, I was excited but aware of the numerous challenges ahead. The responsibility of managing a dynamic team and ensuring a seamless people function can be daunting. However, with determination and the support of the leadership and my exceptional team, we navigated these challenges successfully. The challenges we encountered have only strengthened our team. The organisation’s unwavering support and commitment to professional development have been instrumental in my growth as a leader, and I am grateful for the trust placed in me. Raja Al Malki Senior Manager, People Team I joined shortly after the airline began and I had a background in catering, so the aviation industry was new to me. From the fi rst day, I had huge support and guidance from my colleagues, and that same support is still there today. The airline industry is very competitive, and we want to be the best, so often we have to work in an agile way. I have to supply around 200 new uniforms to our crew every day, so that takes a lot of management, but it makes me feel proud to see how good they look. Senthil Kumar Controller, Uniform Store, Procurement & Supply Chain EtA_01-NOV-2023_13-17_Bios_13056558.indd 1901/11/2023 16:3620 | ATLAS BY ETIHAD | November 2023 I’ve had some truly unforgettable moments where we’ve gone above and beyond to support our guests and put a smile on their faces. One memorable, challenging situation involved a distressed mum who reached out to me. Her child was about to be offl oaded from a connecting fl ight due to missing documentation, and the child was still in the air. I immediately contacted both airports. With relentless follow-up and coordination, we got the child home safely. The mother was beyond grateful, and even wrote me a beautiful letter of appreciation. I felt an immense sense of pride and gratitude knowing that I was able to help bring a family back together. It’s moments like these that remind me why I love working in customer care for Etihad, giving people the help they need. Valeria Andrei Senior Quality Officer One of my most unforgettable moments at Etihad was designing a special aircraft livery for the Airbus A340-600 in celebration of the fi rst edition of Abu Dhabi’s Formula 1 Grand Prix back in 2009. Seeing my design take to the skies and knowing it would grace millions of TV screens around the world during the race’s opening fl y-past was an indescribable moment! Being a member of a creative and hardworking team fi lls me with pride. Witnessing our designs reach every corner of the world is a never-ending source of inspiration and motivation. Sawsan Sultan Creative Lead I still vividly remember the day I arrived in Abu Dhabi 16 years ago. As I stepped off the plane, the warm sun greeted me, and I felt a sense of excitement and nervousness. I was on a new adventure in a foreign land that was completely unknown to me. Despite the nerves, I was also proud and determined to make the most of this opportunity with Etihad Airways. It’s special to look back and think of all the wonderful experiences I’ve had since then. Gabriele Rasile Sales Officer – Cargo EtA_01-NOV-2023_13-17_Bios_13056558.indd 2001/11/2023 16:36November 2023 | ATLAS BY ETIHAD | 21 Long-serving colleagues from across Etihad Airways were celebrated at a special employee forum held in Abu Dhabi recently. The airline’s Chief Executive Offi cer Antonoaldo Neves thanked them all sincerely for the work they have done, and the transformation they have seen through at the airline over 20 years. He said: “Without you, we would not be here today.” “Without you, we would not be here” Everywhere I turn, I get immense pride seeing our guests enjoy the products and experiences that we’ve curated. Being able to directly impact our guests’ experience is the best part of my role and I’ve been blessed to have had the opportunity to lead multiple key experience transformation programmes, helping the airline evolve and grow. From developing The Residence and A380 propositions, to the award-winning partnership with Armani Casa and Emirati designers, I’m lucky to work with a team of passionate individuals who share my drive to make a diff erence and showcase the best of Abu Dhabi and the UAE. Zulkiflie Jumaat Senior Manager Product Development As a Chef for Etihad Airways, I plan every dish you eat on board. Over the years, I’ve had some truly unforgettable moments representing the airline in culinary competitions worldwide. I’ll never forget winning against tough global competition in Bali in 2011 and Korea in 2012. I love the variety of my role. One day, I am fl ying around the world to meet other chefs, and the next day, I’ll be perfecting recipes. We always aim to tantalise our guests’ taste buds with sustainably grown and locally sourced produce. Nadeem Farooq Manager Menu Design EtA_01-NOV-2023_13-17_Bios_13056558.indd 2101/11/2023 16:3622 | ATLAS BY ETIHAD | November 2023 Since our fi rst fl ight in 2003, Etihad has risen to become one of the world’s most respected airlines; a symbol of Abu Dhabi’s commitment to excellence, luxury, and innovation. And as we refl ect on our incredible journey so far, we look ahead to the future with excitement and optimism. “As we mark Etihad Airways’ 20th anniversary, we’re excited about what’s next,” says Antonoaldo Neves, Group Chief Executive Offi cer of Etihad Airways. “Our journey so far has been about more than fl ights; it’s been about bringing people and cultures together, creating strong connections, and making Abu Dhabi a key travel hub, helped by the UAE’s prime location. “Looking ahead, we have big plans. By 2030, we aim to double our fl eet and welcome three times more guests, reaching 30 million people each year, welcoming so many more people to enjoy the excitement and the hospitality of our home, as well as connecting to our growing global network. And our dreams go beyond numbers. “We want to make every journey something special and reach even more places around the world. Our rich past is the perfect starting point for these bold steps forward. Let’s look to the future, driven by the passion that has been with us from the start.” Welcome to Terminal A With the opening of Terminal A, a new chapter unfolds. A gateway to Abu Dhabi and the world, the bridge that connects continents, cultures, and aspirations. Our new home. But Terminal A represents more than just a new beginning. It’s a testament to our commitment As we celebrate our 20th anniversary, we’re not just marking two decades of excellence in aviation – we’re looking forward to what’s on the horizon to transform travel into an experience like no other, where seamless connectivity, remarkable hospitality and exceptional comfort converge to elevate the journey for all. We can show you the world This year, we’ve added more than 10 new destinations to our global network, and we’re not stopping there. With better connections and more frequent fl ights to our most popular destinations, we really can show you the world. So, where to next? Etihad Airways at 20: Soaring into the future oking forward to what ss oonn the horizzonn EtA_01-NOV-2023_22_Future of Etihad _13047733.indd 2201/11/2023 16:472023 ﺮﺒﻤﻓﻮﻧ | ناﺮﻴﻄﻠﻟ دﺎﺤﺗﻻا ﻦﻣ ﺲﻠﻃأ | 22 ﻦﻳﺪﻘﻌﺑ ﻞﻔﺘﺤﻧ ﻻ ﺎﻨﻧﺈﻓ ،ﺎﻨﺘﻛﺮﺷ ﺲﻴﺳﺄﺘﻟ ﻦﻳﺮﺸﻌﻟا ﺔﻳﻮﻨﺴﻟا ىﺮﻛﺬﻟﺎﺑ ﻞﻔﺘﺤﻧ ﺎﻤﻨﻴﺑ ًﺎﻗاﺮﺷإ ﺮﺜﻛأ ﻞﺒﻘﺘﺴﻣ ﻰﻟإ ﻊﻠﻄﺘﻧ ﻞﺑ ،ﺐﺴﺤﻓ ناﺮﻴﻄﻟا لﺎﺠﻣ ﻲﻓ ﺰﻴﻤﺘﻟا ﻦﻣ ناﺮﻴﻄﻠﻟ دﺎﺤﺗﻻا ﺔﻗﻼﻄﻧﻻ ﻦﻳﺮﺸﻌﻟا ىﺮﻛﺬﻟا ﻞﺒﻘﺘﺴﻤﻟا ﻮﺤﻧ ﻖﻴﻠﺤﺘﻟا ﺬﻨﻣ A ﻦﻳﺮﻓﺎﺴﻤﻟا ﻰﻨﺒﻣ ﻲﻓ ﻢﻜﺑ ًﺎﺒﺣﺮﻣ ﻲﺒﻇﻮﺑأ نﻮﻴﻌﺑ ﻢﻟﺎﻌﻟا EtA_01-NOV-2023_22_AR_Future of Etihad_13049505.indd 2201/11/2023 17:24Next >