Etihad appoints Schippel to oversee flight operations

Abu Dhabi: Etihad Airways has appointed Captain Christoph Schippel as the airline's new vice president for flight operations.

In his new position, Schippel will be responsible for all aspects of Etihad's flight operations, which include ensuring that flights operate under the highest standards of safety and efficiency set by the UAE's General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA).

Reporting to Captain Richard Hill, Etihad's executive vice president for operations, Schippel will also oversee preparations for flight operations to new Etihad destinations, the day-to-day management of the airline's 675 pilots and its growing aircraft fleet.

Hill said: "Christoph brings a vast amount of experience and expertise to this position and he will ensure that Etihad's flight operations division operates to our usual high standards especially as Etihad continues to expand the number of destinations on its flight network."

Prior to his appointment as VP-flight operations, Captain Schippel held the position of Etihad chief pilot of the Airbus A340 and fleet chief Airbus aircraft where he oversaw the introduction of Etihad's first Airbus A340-600 in 2007.