Etihad Airways has appointed Geert Boven as Senior Vice President Americas. He will be based in New York and responsible for all Etihad’s current operations in the US, Canada and South America.

Mr Boven brings a wide range of airline and travel experience to the role, having previously held senior management and board positions with KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Martinair and Oad Group.

He was previously Executive Vice President Sales and Services and Executive Vice President Customer Services and Airport Operations at Etihad and was most recently Managing Director of Amadeus Gulf.

James Hogan, Etihad Airways’ Chief Executive Officer, said: “Geert’s extensive senior management experience in the airline industry will be invaluable to Etihad as we expand our presence beyond New York, Chicago and Toronto in the important Americas markets.”

Mr Boven takes over from Robin Middleton, who has moved to Australia as Manager Alliance Sales to look after Etihad’s commercial interests in its partnership with the Virgin Blue Group. 

Today, Etihad operates over 17 services per week from Abu Dhabi to the Americas, including non-stop daily services to John F. Kennedy Airport in New York and O’Hare Airport in Chicago, and three times a week to Pearson International Airport in Toronto, Canada.

Mr Boven said: “I am very pleased to be given the opportunity to represent Etihad, one of the fastest growing and most dynamic airlines in the world, and look forward to helping build the brand and expand sales and operations in the Americas.”