Leading airline Emirates has appointed Khalfan Al Salami as the new Country Manager for Kuwait and Iraq, effective immediately. 

In his new role, Khalfan brings nearly two decades of leadership experience across the IT and aviation sectors in the Middle East. He joined the airline in 2015 as the Commercial Manager for Kuwait and later transitioned into leadership roles, including Country Manager for Sudan, Morocco, and Mauritania. A UAE national, Khalfan will relocate to Kuwait to ensure the effective execution of his new responsibilities. Prior to joining Emirates, he served as the Managing Director of Click Innovation for twelve years.

As Country Manager, Khalfan will oversee operations in Kuwait and Iraq while supporting the airline’s commercial strategy and business operations, driving growth, and further strengthening Emirates' regional presence.

In addition to Khalfan’s appointment, Emirates has announced new commercial leaders for key markets in the Middle East and Africa:

1. Abdulla Adnan assumes the role of Manager for Morocco, succeeding Khalfan. He previously served as the Manager for Tanzania.  
2. Omar Alhemeiri succeeds Abdulla as Manager for Tanzania. He recently held the position of Manager for Algeria.  
3. Cathrine Wesley succeeds Omar as Manager for Algeria. She previously served as Country Manager for Ghana and Ivory Coast.  
4. Saood Al Aqili succeeds Cathrine as Country Manager for Ghana. He recently served as District Manager for Dhahran and the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia.  
5. Fahad Al Hassawi succeeds Saood as District Manager for Dhahran and the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. Fahad previously served as Manager for Oman.  

Announcing the leadership changes and welcoming the new appointees, Adnan Kazim, Emirates’ Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer, stated, “Our long-serving commercial managers have played integral roles in Emirates’ global operations over the years. Today’s appointments reflect our confidence in their ability to continue strengthening our business across the GCC and Africa. I wish the commercial managers all the success in their new roles and have full confidence in their ability to further thrive as Emirates’ ambassadors in our outstations.”

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Khalfan commented, “I’m excited to return to the market where I began my Emirates career. I look forward to taking the lead in overseeing Emirates’ operations in both Kuwait and Iraq. Together with the local teams, I aim to strengthen our relationships with trade and industry partners and expand the airline’s presence in both markets.”