Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), has appointed Fatma Al Mehairi as General Manager for Canada.

Fatma is the first female Emirati to be named General Manager of a region at the airline. In total, more than 130 Emirati women are employed in various management development programs as part of the airline’s workforce.

Based in Toronto, Fatma will lead the further development of the airline’s commercial strategy in Canada. She will also be responsible for further growing Etihad Airways’ relationships with its travel trade and corporate customers and will report to Martin Drew, Senior Vice President of The Americas for Etihad Airways.

Fatma joined Etihad Airways in 2010 as part of the airline’s Graduate Management Program, where she was trained in multiple aspects of Etihad Airways’ fast-growing operations.

After successfully completing the program, she accepted a post in Paris, where she spent three years in commercial operations as a Business Development Manager and subsequently as a Corporate Account Manager.

Fatma was then appointed as Assistant General Manager, where she has been responsible for executing sales and marketing strategy; driving team performance; and maintaining business development.

Etihad Airways currently operates three flights per week between Abu Dhabi and Toronto on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

Fatma, who assumes her new role this week, replaces Craig Thomas, who has been appointed Vice President - U.S.A. for Etihad Airways.