Dubai chosen as Cathay Pacific's main regional hub

Cathay Pacific has announced that Dubai will become the airline’s regional hub for all passenger and cargo operations across the Middle East, which includes the emirate in addition to Bahrain.

The move comes as part of the Hong-Kong based airline's management change in the region, it said, in line with its global vision to make the airline more competitive by improving the speed and quality of decision-making and putting a greater focus on its customers.

Effective On Friday, Cathay appointed appointed Jonathan Ng as the country manager – Middle East. He previously held the position of country manager of Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and Offline Middle East.

Mr Ng joined Cathay Pacific in 2011 and has since held the post of assistant airline alliance manager and was seconded to Air China in Beijing, China as deputy general manager – marketing and sales before taking up the post in Bahrain in 2016.

In addition, Nikhil Kilpady will now take on the position of regional sales and marketing manager – Middle East, having recently served the airline as sales and marketing manager for UAE and Oman. Hasan Qannati has been appointed as trade, corporate sales and marketing manager – Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and offline Middle East, and is based in Bahrain, while Edwin Gudino, appointed as cargo manager – Middle East in 2016, will continue to take care of the cargo operations and commercial strategy from the Dubai regional head office.

Mr Kilpady has had extensive experience in the aviation and travel industries before joining Cathay Pacific in 2008, and has held a number of positions with the airline; including Area Sales Manager – Bangalore, India, and Port Manager – Maldives. He will now be responsible for the commercial operations and strategy for the Middle East.

Mr Qannati, who joined Cathay Pacific – Bahrain in 2013, has experience across the markets in Bahrain and the Eastern Province in Saudi Arabia. He will now be looking after the company’s commercial and business interests, as well strengthening trade relationships in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and other offline Middle East offices.