Ex-BA PR chief joins Etihad Airways
Former British Airways PR chief Iain Burns has been named vice-president of corporate communications for UAE carrier Etihad Airways.
He joins in January after five years in a similar role at BA, reporting to Etihad CEO James Hogan at the airline’s Abu Dhabi headquarters.
Burns left BA in October along with ex-commercial director Martin George after the airline become the subject of an investigation into cartel activity over fuel surcharges. He had been on a leave of absence since June.
Hogan said: “Etihad’s future growth and development means that both external and internal communications will rise in importance, and Iain’s experience in the aviation sector is ideally suited in telling the story of our expansive agenda to the media and our own employees.”
Burns, whose previous roles include PR manager for American Airlines in the UK, said: “This is an exciting time to join Etihad which has come a long way in a short period of time and has great plans for the future. I am very much looking forward to playing my part in articulating the airline’s formidable strategy to a growing audience around the globe.”
Report by Phil Davies
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