The UAE-based Etihad Airways on Wednesday said it had appointed Neerja Bhatia as its vice president for India and the Indian sub-continent.
"Neerja has played a key role in the expansion of Etihad Airways in India during the last 11 years and has a wealth of experience and expertise which will be key to the continued alignment of our activities together with our strategic partner Jet Airways in this important geographical area", said the carrier's senior vice president, Danny Barranger.
"We are delighted that Neerja will take up her new role, based in Mumbai, to lead Etihad Airways' commercial activities across the region as we look to expand our sales operations in India, Bangladesh, the Maldives, Nepal, Seychelles and Sri Lanka."
Bhatia joined the airline in 2004 as sales manager for west India, soon after it launched flights into Mumbai - its first Indian destination.
Bhatia progressed to become the manager for western and southern India before being appointed the general manager for India in 2007.
The carrier, together with Jet Airways, operates more than 200 return flights each week from 14 Indian airports and Abu Dhabi.