He will be responsible for the airline’s major accounts and corporate business and will work alongside country manager for UK and Ireland, Jeremy Pollock.

Kearns replaces Shannon O’Dowd, who left Etihad in August after seven years with the business, and joins the airline after a three-year stint at Qatar Airways within the commercial team as sales executive based in Dublin.

Prior to Qatar, he worked for Hertz as a travel sales executive, focusing on outbound sales within the leisure and corporate markets in Ireland.

Kearns said the "extensive relationships" he built with his previous roles will "serve me well at Etihad".

"I’m looking forward to working alongside Jeremy Pollock and will be able to hit the ground running," he added.

Pollock said: "I’m excited to be expanding my team and to welcome Jason who has previous experience in the aviation and travel industry and will be able to support me in overseeing our main accounts in Ireland."