Etihad Airways has appointed Captain Khalid Humaid Al Ali as Senior Vice President Aeropolitical, International and Government Affairs.
Captain Al Ali will report to Dr. Nadia Bastaki, Chief People, Government and Corporate Affairs Officer.
He joins Etihad from the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), where he served as Senior Director of the Air Transport Department from 2013 to 2025.
Former GCAA Director joins Etihad Airways in senior leadership tole
At the GCAA, Captain Al Ali was responsible for developing and directing national air transport strategy, leading bilateral and multilateral air services agreement negotiations, and providing policy advisory support to the UAE Federal Government on aviation-related matters.
Captain Al Ali’s career in aviation spans more than 40 years. He holds an Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL) and has accumulated over 12,000 flying hours. His background combines operational flying expertise with regulatory and diplomatic experience.
In his new role, Captain Al Ali will oversee Etihad’s government affairs strategy and manage relationships with aviation authorities and government stakeholders worldwide. He will also lead the airline’s aeropolitical agenda to support network expansion and route development.
Captain Al Ali holds a Bachelor’s degree in Aviation Science and a Bachelor’s degree in Law. His credentials include a Judicial Expertise Diploma from the Dubai Judicial Institute and several diplomas in Arbitration and International Relations.
He serves as an appointed aviation legal expert in UAE courts and has contributed to the resolution of more than 50 aviation-related cases.
