The Etihad Aviation Group (EAG) today confirmed Abdul Khaliq Saeed as the new Chief Executive Officer for Etihad Airways Engineering, replacing Jeff Wilkinson, who is leaving the post after 11 years with the company.

Mr. Saeed brings over 35 years of international maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) industry experience, and joins Etihad Airways Engineering from Abu Dhabi based, Turbine Services & Solutions (TS&S) where he has been Chief Executive Officer since 2014.

Before joining TS&S, he was President and CEO of Abu Dhabi Aircraft Technologies (ADAT) until it was acquired by Etihad Airways and became Etihad Airways Engineering in 2014. He has also held senior positions within Mubadala Aerospace, Jet Airways, and Gulf Air.

H.E. Mohamed Mubarak Fadhel Al Mazrouei, Chairman of the Board of Etihad Aviation Group, said, "We are delighted to have Abdul Khaliq as CEO of Etihad Airways Engineering. The organisation has become a critical enabler for UAE commercial aviation and Abu Dhabi's role as a global aviation hub over the past 25 years. Under his leadership, we will maintain our focus on innovation and business performance."

Ray Gammell, Interim Group CEO of Etihad Aviation Group, said: "We are very happy to have Abdul Khaliq leading the world-class team at Etihad Airways Engineering. The business enables Etihad Airways and many global airlines to keep their fleets flying. Abdul Khaliq's MRO experience, knowledge of the regional aviation market and proven track record makes him the clear choice to operate and grow this critical part of the Etihad Aviation Group."

Mr Gammell also paid tribute to outgoing CEO Jeff Wilkinson, whom he commended for leading the integration of ADAT to Etihad Airways Engineering, a complex change management programme that required skilful leadership. During his tenure, the company became the largest airline MRO provider in the region, the first with European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) approval to manufacture 3D-printed aircraft cabin parts.

Abdul Khaliq Saeed said: "I am delighted to join Etihad Airways Engineering, a company at the forefront of MRO innovation in the region and worldwide. I look forward to continuing the great work by the team to build our global customer base and enable Abu Dhabi's growth as an aviation hub."

Contributed by Etihad Aviation Group