Antonio Panariello Joins Etihad Airways as Head of Europe and UK

ZURICH — Etihad Airways has appointed Antonio Panariello as Head of Europe and UK, effective May 2026. The promotion is internal, moving a nearly four-year Etihad leader into the group's most senior European commercial role.

Antonio Panariello Appointed Head of Europe and UK at Etihad Airways

Based in the Zurich Metropolitan Area, Panariello leads commercial strategy, market performance and regional growth across Europe and the UK for Etihad Airways. He brings close to 18 years of aviation industry experience, built across two of the Gulf's most prominent airlines. His background spans commercial aviation strategy, business planning, budgeting and market analysis across European markets.

An Internal Step Up From General Manager Central Europe

Antonio Panariello served as General Manager Central Europe at Etihad. His progression across four distinct territorial roles within Etihad in less than four years reflects consistent commercial delivery across increasingly complex market scope.

Over 13 Years at Qatar Airways Across Doha, Zurich and Frankfurt

Antonio spent over 13 years at Qatar Airways. He started as a Senior Performance Analyst at the airline's headquarters in Doha. He then moved to Business Performance Manager roles covering Switzerland, Italy and Malta. He was later appointed Country Commercial Manager Switzerland, based in Zurich. He also served as Acting Country Manager for Germany, Switzerland and Austria, based in Frankfurt.

That combination of analytical and commercial roles across Doha and multiple European markets built a complete picture of how a major airline manages performance, pricing and market development at the regional level.

Early Career in Aviation Analysis and Financial Services

Before Qatar Airways, Panariello worked as an Aviation Analyst at Flight Insight in London. He also held financial analyst positions at Matson Driscoll and D'Amico and Barclaycard. Those early analytical roles gave him the data and financial discipline that has underpinned his commercial career since.

He holds an MSc in Air Transport Management from Cranfield University and a BA (Hons.) in International Business with French from the University of Northampton. His thesis at Cranfield was published in the Italian Civil Aviation Authority Archives. He has Italian and Scottish roots and speaks English, Italian and French fluently.

About Etihad Airways

Etihad Airways is the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, headquartered in Abu Dhabi. The airline operates to destinations across Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Australia and the Americas from its hub at Abu Dhabi International Airport. Europe and the UK represent one of Etihad's most strategically important commercial regions, with key gateway cities including London, Paris, Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Madrid and Zurich.

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