Vertannes named new head of cargo operations

Dubai: Etihad Airways appointed Des Vertannes as its new executive vice-president of cargo operations.

Vertannes joins Etihad's Crystal Cargo division after running the cargo division at Gulf Air, and brings nearly 40 years of aviation industry experience with him.

Prior to joining Gulf Air, Vertannes served as chief executive at the UK-based Air Menzies International, as well as managing director of Menzies Cargo World.

"It's great to be welcoming Des to Etihad and I look forward to working closely with him in his new role," said Etihad CEO James Hogan.

Wealth of experience

"He has a wealth of experience in the cargo industry which will be crucial in the development of Etihad Crystal Cargo," he said.

Vertannes began his career with British Airways in 1970 where he was cargo manager for the Gulf and Saudi Arabia and cargo sales manager for the United Kingdom.

During the 1990's, he worked for Air Canada where he was the general manager cargo for Europe, Africa and the Middle East.