Etihad has appointed a new sales manager to mark continued growth and expansion in the North

Etihad Airways, which has been nominated in four categories in the Grand Final World Travel Awards 2011, has appointed Melanie Quinn as the new sales manager for the North of England. Melanie will be responsible for raising the profile of Etihad throughout the region, cultivating and managing relationships with key stakeholders including agents, airports, suppliers, guests and government organisations.

The appointment reflects the airline’s ongoing expansion and multiple significant developments in Manchester. Highlights of Etihad’s commitment to the area include the signing of a 10-year sponsorship deal with Manchester City Football Club, the launch of a new aircraft maintenance centre, the doubling of daily flights from the city and the construction of a new contact centre at Manchester airport for 2012.

Melanie’s previous roles include number of high-profile airline positions in the North with bmi British Midland International and SAS Scandinavian Airlines. At bmi Melanie worked across Manchester, London and Paris, playing an instrumental role within the management team which opened bmi’s Manchester base and implemented the carrier’s long-haul product in 2000.

As key account manager for the Northwest and West of England at SAS Melanie launched services from Bristol and developed the airline’s expert online business tuition for the agency community. Also particularly active in new business development for the SME community, Melanie developed a string business links in the Northwest. 

Clive Wratten, Etihad’s UK country manager for the UK and Ireland, said: “We are delighted to welcome Melanie to the team. As the world’s fastest growing commercial airline we are committed to harvesting new talent, particularly those from the local community.  “We were very impressed by her outstanding experience in the region’s travel industry and are confident that she will continue to excel in this new position. Melanie is sure to play a critical role in Etihad’s extraordinary growth and success in Manchester and throughout the North.”

The carrier picked up four awards at this year’s World Travel Awards Middle East Gala Ceremony , including Middle East’s Leading Airline, Middle East’s Leading Airline First Class, Middle East’s Leading Airline Inflight Entertainment and Middle East’s Leading Cabin Staff. They have been nominated in the categories of: World’s Leading Airline, World’s Leading Airline First Class, World’s Leading Airline Economy Class and World’s Leading Airline Inflight Entertainment for the World Travel Awards Grand Final which will take place in Qatar on November 29.

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