Emirates Group announces changes in management structure

Since its start up in October 1985, Emirates has developed rapidly from a regional airline into a major international carrier, initially doubling in size every three and half years and now growing by more than 20 per cent per year.

Dnata, too, has witnessed enormous growth in the past two decades as it has developed into the largest travel agency in the Middle East, as well as expanding its ground handling activities from its base at Dubai International Airport to numerous overseas locations.

From 2,400 in 1985, the group now has some 19,000 staff - and the recent announcements of the new aircraft orders for Emirates means that the numbers will grow substantially in the future.

The Emirates network will link 70 destinations around the world by the end of this year, and will become truly global with the extension to USA points next year.

The Chairman, His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, said today: "The expansion of the Emirates Group, in the short and long term, demands a restructuring of the organisation in order to cope with the future challenges.

"Nomenclatures, too, will be changed to conform more closely to international business norms with the present Director and Senior General Manager titles consolidated into Senior Vice Presidents.

"The re-styled corporate management for the company mirrors the airline's development into a global airline and Dnata's growing activities within the region and at the fast-expanding Dubai International Airport."

Sheikh Ahmed announced the following changes, effective 1st July 2003:

• Group Managing Director, Maurice Flanagan CBE, is appointed to the position of Vice Chairman and Group President, reporting to the Chairman.

• Chief Director Airline, Tim Clark, is appointed to the position of President Emirates Airline. Tim will report to the Vice Chairman & Group President.

• Chief Director Finance, IT & Services, Dermot Mannion, is appointed to the position of President Group Support Services. Dermot will be responsible for all core support services - Finance, IT, Human Resources, Legal, Procurement & Logistics (Non-Aircraft) and will report to the Vice Chairman and Group President.

• Chief Director Support & Development, Gary Chapman, is appointed to the position of President Dnata & Associated Companies. Gary will be responsible for corporate development and all non-airline business -Dnata Airport Services, Dnata Agencies, Galileo, Emirates Flight Catering, MMI and other joint venture companies and partnerships. Gary will report to the Vice Chairman and Group President.

Other senior appointments are as follows:

• Ghaith Al Ghaith is appointed to the position of Executive Vice President Commercial Operations Worldwide. In addition to his present responsibilities he will now take over Customer Affairs & Service Audit and Skywards. He will report to the President Emirates Airline.

• Adel Al Redha is appointed to the position of Executive Vice President Emirates Engineering & Operations. In addition to his current responsibilities he will now take over Flight Operations and Procurement & Logistics (Aircraft). Adel will report to the President Emirates Airline.

• Abdulaziz Al Ali is appointed to the position of Executive Vice President Human Resources.His additional responsibilities will include the Medical Services and Performance Development. Abdulaziz will report to the President Group Support Services.

• Ismail Ali Al Banna is appointed to the position of Executive Vice President Dnata. He will be responsible for both Dnata Airport Operations and Dnata Agencies and will report to the President Dnata & Associated Companies.