DOHA, Qatar – Qatar Airways has appointed David Edwards as Executive Vice President to lead the growing business of its corporate jet arm, Qatar Executive.

Announcing the appointment during the Dubai Air Show, Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker said: “David brings to Qatar Executive a wealth of experience in the business aviation industry and will be instrumental in steering its operations to a new level”.

Edwards will be responsible for guiding all strategic, commercial and operational aspects of the airline’s private jet division.  Launched in 2009, today Qatar Executive operates a fleet of seven wholly-owned Bombardier aircraft of which a brand-new Global 5000 Vision was delivered as recently as October.

In his new role, Edwards will focus on strengthening Qatar Executive’s footprint in the operator’s existing key markets such as the Middle East and the booming countries like Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), but also forge ahead with establishing the company’s presence in the rapidly emerging markets of Africa and Asia.

"My aim is to expand Qatar Executive’s successful product portfolio which includes, apart from its core business aircraft charters, aircraft management, large airliner charter, maintenance and a full range of FBO services at Doha International Airport,” said Edwards.  “I am delighted to be joining Qatar Executive at this exciting time, and look forward to growing the business and the services we are able to offer our clients”.

A veteran of the business aviation industry, Edwards brings with him more than 16 years of experience in aviation management and extensive industry knowledge accumulated from his previous roles with leading business jet charter companies in the UK and the United Arab Emirates, where he held senior management positions.

Prior to joining Qatar Executive Edwards was Managing Director, Middle East and Asia for Gama Aviation. Edwards, who holds a private pilot license will be based in Doha, home to Qatar Executive and its parent company Qatar Airways.

Qatar Executive has been further boosted by the appointment of Roberto Hlaca as Vice President, Sales, Marketing & Strategy and Captain Peter Resting as Vice President, Flight Operations. Both come to their new positions with a proven and very successful track record.

Prior to his new role at Qatar Executive, Hlaca was Vice President, On Demand Sales at Vistajet and responsible for spearheading the company’s commercial growth. Earlier tenures in his international career included senior corporate travel and marketing-related positions at American Express, BTI UK and entertainment giant Sony. In his new role, Hlaca will re-shape Qatar Executive’s sales and marketing strategies by launching new business initiatives and developing new growth markets to meet the company’s set targets. 

Resting’s background includes Director of Flight Operations for Execujet Europe, where under his leadership the fleet grew from three to twelve aircraft under Execujet’s Scandinavian Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC). In his new role Resting’s primary responsibility is to ensure the safe operation of Qatar Executive’s aircraft. This also includes scheduling and recruiting of Flight Deck Crew to ensure that all regulatory requirements are met and that high-quality operations are executed in a safe, efficient and customer-friendly manner. Before starting his career in aviation Resting, a pilot himself for 23 years, worked at the Danish police force where he held senior positions.

For further information and bookings, the professional Qatar Executive service team is available 24/7 on +974 4445 3800 or request@qatarexec.com.qa.