Zayed International Airport, UAE’s primary international airport, has announced the appointment of Elena Sorlini as its Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, effective February 2024.

In her new role, Elena brings over 40 years of leadership experience across aviation, aerospace, management consulting, oil and gas, and BFSI sectors. She has been serving as interim CEO for Abu Dhabi Airports since June 2023, playing a pivotal role in opening Terminal A.

Prior to her appointment, Elena served as a Board Member for Etihad Airways and serves as a Board Member for Abu Dhabi Aviation, Peninsula, ADQ Aviation and Aerospace Services, Advanced Military Maintenance Repair & Overhaul Center, and GAL. She has held positions with ADQ as Executive Director of Transport and Logistics, Oman Aviation Group as VP of Strategic Planning, Copenhagen Airports as Strategy Director, and Macquarie Group as Copenhagen Airports Asset Manager. She also worked with Enel Group, Kearney, and JP Morgan early in her career.

On the academic front, Elena holds a bachelor's degree in business administration, planning, and control from Bocconi University, a master’s degree in corporate finance from SDA Bocconi, and an executive master’s degree in business administration from Copenhagen Business School.

Welcoming Elena permanently to the leadership board, Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, Advisor of Special Affairs at the Presidential Court and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Abu Dhabi Airports, said, “On behalf of the board, we are delighted to welcome Elena Sorlini as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Abu Dhabi Airports. With her proven track record of success in the aviation sector, we have full confidence in her ability to lead the organisation through its next phase of growth, underscoring our commitment to solidifying Abu Dhabi’s position as a global tourism destination and leading aviation hub. I wish her all the best in her new role.”

Sorlini added, “I am honoured to have been officially appointed as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Abu Dhabi Airports. Following the opening of Terminal A, I remain committed to unlocking the full growth potential of Abu Dhabi’s tourism and trade industry. The capital boasts a wealth of offerings and a strong reputation for excellence and innovation, and our airports truly serve as gateways to rich cultural heritage and commercial opportunities. I look forward to contributing to the recognition of Abu Dhabi International Airport as one of the best airports in the world, meeting the highest standards of quality for our passengers.”