Etihad appoints new general manager for Canada

 
In his new role, Mr. Harrison will be based in Toronto, where he will be responsible for driving sales and further growing strong relationships with the airline’s trade and corporate partners.

Mr. Harrison most recently served as Etihad Airways’ global account manager for American Express, based in London. He has previously worked for Hertz, British Airways and Gulf Air and joined Etihad Airways in 2009 in Manchester before working as the airline’s Sales Manager based in Melbourne. He returned to the UK in 2012 to work in Global Sales.
 
Peter Baumgartner, Etihad Airways chief commercial officer, said: “James has a wealth of experience in the travel industry and extensive knowledge of the corporate sector which will serve Etihad Airways well in Canada. With the recent announcement of our commercial cooperation agreement with Air Canada, now is an important time to strongly support the partnership and jointly develop the most seamless and convenient offering for travel between Canada, the UAE and beyond.”
 
Etihad Airways currently operates three flights per week to Abu Dhabi out of Toronto.
 
Mr. Harrison replaces Justin Gosling, who has taken up the position of general manager commercial at equity alliance partner Air Seychelles. This move is part of a five-year management contract with Air Seychelles, in which Etihad Airways also has a 40% equity stake.

Mr. Gosling worked with Etihad Airways in Canada for four years. He previously spent 20 years at Lufthansa in the UK, in North America with HRG Travel and as country manager Canada for Jet Airways.