Tony Douglas to assume as chief exec of Abu Dhabi-based airline in January 2018

  ABU DHABI – Etihad Airways announced on Thursday the appointment of former Abu Dhabi Airports chief executive Tony Douglas as the carrier's new group CEO. Douglas will assume the post in January next year, according to an Etihad Airways statement. Etihad Chairman Mohamed Mubarak Fadel Al Mazrouei said in a statement: "We are delighted to have Tony return to Abu Dhabi to lead Etihad." Douglas will join Etihad from the British Ministry of Defense, where he was responsible for procuring and supporting all equipment and services for the British Armed Forces. Al Mazrouei said Douglas understands the region and "is also deeply knowledgeable about commercial aviation and keenly familiar with Etihad's challenges and opportunities in a rapidly changing industry." The airline said Douglas, who was also chief executive officer (CEO) of Abu Dhabi Airports and Abu Dhabi Ports, will "implement a range of strategic initiatives to position Etihad for sustained success in an increasingly competitive regional and global aviation market." Douglas's entry however comes as the carrier sustained US$1.87 billion in losses last year due to challenges in the macro-environment, high impairment charges, and costs related to airberlin and Alitalia where Etihad purchased stakes. Douglas takes over from James Hogan, who stepped down in July. Etihad named Ray Gammell as interim CEO after Hogan left. GAC/Expat 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