Hans Airways appoints Martin Dunn as Chief Commercial Officer

Monday 27th June 2022

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Hans Airways, the new UK airline which is gearing up to start scheduled services from Birmingham to India this year is pleased to confirm the promotion of Martin Dunn to Chief Commercial Officer.  Martin joined the business in November 2021 as Director Sales and Distribution from Etihad Airways, where he led commercial teams focused on pricing, revenue and route management for the Abu Dhabi-based carrier and its airline brands.

 

At Hans Airways Martin is working closely with CEO Satnam Saini in the executive leadership team and is responsible for overall sales, distribution, marketing, brand and produce, e-commerce and digital retail functions, as the airline heads towards launch later this summer

 

Martin brings a solid four decades’ airline experience in the UK and Middle East, having started his aviation career via the travel agency route. His first airline job was with British Midland in sales, where he was responsible for developing pricing strategy, and establishing the distribution process.  He was closely involved in the regional carrier’s move into Star Alliance, working alongside counterparts in Lufthansa, SAS and United Airlines.   

 

After 16 years in Derbyshire,  Martin moved to the Middle East, initially working with Gulf Air in Bahrain, heading commercial route management and supervising country sales teams, before joining Etihad in 2007, initially as head of commercial route management, then head of strategic pricing, interline and digital retail.

 

“Martin’s experience in airline pricing and revenue management, plus his ability to lead and inspire teams was highly attractive to the Hans Airways’ Board as we determined an ideal commercial leader. Together with his extensive international airline experience and vast industry contacts, he is proving to be a terrific asset,” said Satnam.

 

“I have held many roles in the airline industry but the opportunity to be part of a start-up airline is very exciting,” said Martin.  “I met Satnam and quickly embraced his vision and mission for Hans Airways – to build a community airline for the people, by the people, while giving back to good causes.”

 

“After months working mainly by video calls it is great to be be able to get out and meet face-to-face again.  I’ll be drawing on my extensive experience to help develop an airline and product that customers want to experience - at a price they can afford.  We look forward to welcoming our first customers on-board soon.”

 

Martin Dunn, CCO Hans Airways

Photo credit: Billypix for Hans Airways

 

About Hans Airways  

   

Hans Airways is the UK’s newest hybrid, long-haul airline venture, blending value for money fares with a quality inflight service offering. Hans Airways will offer two classes of cabins: Economy class (called "Anand Class"), with a 31-inch seat pitch and 274 seats, and Premium Economy (called "Anand Plus"), offering a 56" pitch and 24 seats. It will offer high quality complementary inflight entertainment and catering as standard.  

   

A loyalty programme   is planned.  To be known as HAPEEI (Hans Airways Passengers Environment Education Initiative), it will reward passengers with all the regular benefits of a frequent flyer programme and with a strong emphasis on corporate social responsibility, create opportunities to donate to children’s educational charities in India or conservation and water preservation projects.  

   

Hans Airways’ senior management has identified a high demand for regular secondary city air links between the UK and India, drawing on its CEO’s considerable experience instigating a series of charter flights for Monarch Airlines and FlyJet.    

   

It intends to have a close working relationship with travel agencies and travel management companies.  

   

Hans Airways submitted its UK AOC application in March 2020, following extensive discussions with the UK Civil Aviation Authority and Department for Transport.  

   

Hans Airways’  management team (see  Board of Directors  and  Leadership Team) share an extensive experience of the commercial aviation industry and a deep understanding of the needs of its core focus market.  Financial support for the airline has come, inter alia, from the Indian community in the UK (see  Investor Relations).