Arik De Departures Etihad Airways After Five-Year Tenure
Arik De, Chief Revenue and Commercial Officer of Etihad Airways, has left the airline effective immediately, marking the end of a significant chapter in the airline's commercial strategy.
Arik De's departure was confirmed via LinkedIn on October 8, 2026.
During his tenure, Etihad's revenue grew from $3 billion to nearly $10 billion.
The airline has not yet announced a successor for De's position.
Etihad Airways has announced the immediate departure of Arik De, its Chief Revenue and Commercial Officer, effective October 8, 2026. De's exit concludes a nearly five-year period during which he played a pivotal role in shaping the airline's commercial strategy and overseeing its significant financial growth.
De joined Etihad in April 2022 as Vice President of Revenue and Commerce and was promoted to Chief Revenue Officer in January 2023. His leadership was instrumental in transforming the airline's revenue model, resulting in a remarkable increase from $3 billion to almost $10 billion. In his farewell message on LinkedIn, De expressed pride in being part of Etihad's transformation and credited his team for their contributions to the airline's success.
In his post, De highlighted the airline's evolution, stating it is now "fundamentally different in every aspect" compared to when he joined. He acknowledged the diversity achieved within the leadership team and thanked several colleagues for their support, including Aysha Al Kaabi, recognized for her role as a pioneer for Emirati women leaders. However, he notably did not mention Etihad Group CEO Antonoaldo Neves.
De's departure leaves a significant vacancy in one of the airline's top commercial roles, especially as Etihad prepares for the rollout of its new premium lounge concept in 2027. His absence raises questions about the future direction of the airline's commercial strategy and who will step into the role.
Looking ahead, Etihad has yet to announce a successor for De, and the airline's leadership will need to navigate this transition while continuing to implement its ambitious plans for growth and expansion in the coming years. The next steps for both the airline and De remain to be seen as he embarks on his next professional chapter.
