Etihad Airways has appointed Neerja Bhatia to the position of vice president India & Indian Sub-Continent.

Bhatia joined Etihad Airways in 2004 as sales manager Western India, shortly after the airline had launched its flights to Mumbai, its first Indian destination.

She then progressed to become manager for western and southern India, before being appointed as general manager India in 2007.

Danny Barranger, Etihad Airways senior vice president sales, said: “Neerja has played a key role in the expansion of Etihad Airways in India during the last 11 years and has a wealth of experience and expertise which will be key to the continued alignment of our activities together with our strategic partner Jet Airways in this important geographical area.

“We are delighted that Neerja will take up her new role, based in Mumbai, to lead Etihad Airways’ commercial activities across the region as we look to expand our sales operations in India, Bangladesh, Maldives, Nepal, Seychelles, and Sri Lanka.”

Etihad Airways currently operates flights from Abu Dhabi to eleven destinations in India: Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Calicut, Chennai, Cochin, Delhi, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Kolkata, Mumbai, and Thiruvananthapuram.

Together with strategic partner, Jet Airways, both airlines fly between Abu Dhabi and 14 Indian cities, operating more 200 return flights each week.

Within the remit of the Indian Subcontinent region, Etihad Airways also flies daily to Dhaka, Bangladesh; daily to Malé, Maldives; double daily to Kathmandu, Nepal; daily to Mahe, Seychelles, and double daily to Colombo, Sri Lanka.