Etihad Airways has appointed Geoff Rhodes as the airline’s manager for Russia. The Abu Dhabi-based airline starts flights to Moscow on 1 December and Rhodes will be responsible for managing Etihad’s commercial operations across the Russian market.

Rhodes has more than 40 years of experience in civil aviation in 30 countries worldwide and first joined Etihad in 2006 when he was responsible for setting up the airline’s commercial operations in the Philippines and Indonesia.

Prior to joining Etihad Rhodes held a number of posts with British Airways, including 10 years in Russia in the 1990s. Geert Boven, Etihad Airways’ executive vice president sales and services, said:

“Geoff brings a wealth of experience to the role which I’m confident will contribute to Etihad’s future success in Russia. He understands the challenges faced by the aviation industry and the importance of the Russian market in the global growth plans of Etihad Airways.”

“It is a privilege to join Etihad Airways at this exciting time when the airline is set to start its first operations into the fastgrowing Russian market,” Rhodes said. “Commercial links between the UAE and Russia are vibrant and I’m looking forward to leading the airline team in Moscow to develop Etihad’s contribution.

The Russian capital will be Etihad’s eleventh destination in its flight network in Europe which already includes services to Brussels, Dublin, Frankfurt, Geneva, London, Manchester, Milan, Minsk, Munich and Paris.