Abu Dhabi Airports, the operator of Abu Dhabi’s five commercial airports, has named Elena Sorlini as its managing director and CEO.

Sorlini has been serving as MD and CEO in an interim capacity since June last year.

Since joining Abu Dhabi Airports, Sorlini has overseen the successful opening of Abu Dhabi International Airport’s new Terminal A , which ranks among the largest airport terminals in the world.

The senior executive has played a significant role in driving the increase of passenger traffic numbers, which continue to experience year-on-year growth, as well as attracting new airlines to the hub.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, advisor of Special Affairs at the Presidential Court and chairman of the Board of Directors of Abu Dhabi Airports, said: “With her proven track record of success in the aviation sector, we have full confidence in her ability to lead the organisation through its next phase of growth.”

Sorlini said she was “committed to unlocking the full growth potential of Abu Dhabi’s tourism and trade industry”.

Elena Sorlini brings over 20 years of experience to the job

Before joining Abu Dhabi Airports, Sorlini held various senior management positions, including executive director of Transport & Logistics at ADQ, vice president of Group Corporate Strategy at Oman Aviation Group, and strategy director at Copenhagen Airports.

Before that, she was vice president at Macquarie Airports, one of the largest private airport owners and operators in the world.

She is also a member of the board at Etihad Airways, Abu Dhabi Aviation, and ADQ Aviation and Aerospace Services.