Qatar Airways has appointed David Edwards as executive vice president to lead the growing business of its corporate jet arm, Qatar Executive.

Qatar Airways chief executive Akbar Al Baker said: “David brings to Qatar Executive a wealth of experience in the business aviation industry and will be instrumental in steering its operations to a new level.”

Edwards will be responsible for guiding all strategic, commercial and operational aspects of the airline’s private jet division. 

Launched in 2009, today Qatar Executive operates a fleet of seven wholly-owned Bombardier aircraft of which a brand-new Global 5000 Vision was delivered as recently as October.

In his new role, Edwards will focus on strengthening Qatar Executive’s footprint in the operator’s existing key markets such as the Middle East and the booming countries like Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States, but also forge ahead with establishing the company’s presence in the rapidly emerging markets of Africa and Asia.

“My aim is to expand Qatar Executive’s successful product portfolio which includes, apart from its core business aircraft charters, aircraft management, large airliner charter, maintenance and a full range of FBO services at Doha International Airport,” said Edwards.

“I am delighted to be joining Qatar Executive at this exciting time, and look forward to growing the business and the services we are able to offer our clients”.

A veteran of the business aviation industry, Edwards brings with him more than 16 years of experience in aviation management and extensive industry knowledge accumulated from his previous roles with leading business jet charter companies in the UK and the United Arab Emirates, where he held senior management positions.