Antonoaldo Neves takes over as Group Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Aviation Group

Neves will take over for Tony Douglas, who has resigned as Group CEO but will remain with the company as an advisor to the Board of ADQ Aviation and Aerospace Services Company during the transition. While serving as CEO and Board Member of TAP, the National Airline of Portugal, Antonoaldo Neves oversaw a major turnaround that increased the company's value, improved customer service, and increased passenger numbers, all of which contributed significantly to the growth of Portugal's tourism industry. Antonoaldo was previously the president of Azul Airlines in Brazil, where he oversaw the airline's successful initial public offering (IPO) on the New York Stock Exchange. In his role as a partner at McKinsey & Company, Antonoaldo crafted a strategy for the growth of Brazil's aviation industry.

Mohammed Ali Al Shorafa, Chairman of Etihad Aviation Group, said, “Tony has led Etihad through some of its most challenging times and has successfully turned the airline into a profitable and sustainable business over the past five years, as part of its initial transformation programme. As we’re entering our next phase of sustainable growth, we are confident that Antonoaldo will build on Tony’s legacy. We thank Tony for all the hard work he has delivered. Etihad will continue to serve Abu Dhabi as the national airline of the UAE, delivering world-class services and exceeding global benchmarks in the near future.”

Antonoaldo Neves, Group CEO of Etihad Aviation Group, commented, “Etihad Airways is a globally well-known brand in the industry. I’m excited to embark on this new role and build on the solid foundation left by Tony and the management team. I am confident that Etihad will prosper into new heights and continue its journey of sustainable growth.”

Etihad's $296 million first-half operational profit in 2022 was a new all-time high. These profits are a result of the reorganisation that was put in place to cut expenses and maintain cash flow throughout the epidemic, as well as the uptick in demand for passenger travel. Since January of 2018, Tony Douglas has become the Group Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Aviation Group. During his time in charge, Etihad underwent a dramatic transition that he oversaw personally. He was responsible for cutting costs, improving efficiency, and expanding the airline's route network, all of which set the stage for Etihad to enter a new era of sustained growth. Tony Douglas has been instrumental in establishing Abu Dhabi as the primary aviation hub in the United Arab Emirates, and Etihad Airways would like to express its gratitude for his efforts.