Emirates has announced the appointment of airline executive Don McWilliam as its new Manager for Canada.
McWilliam brings more than 25 years airline industry experience to his new role, where he is responsible for the airline’s commercial operations in Canada. He will oversee 25 staff, work with Emirates’ headquarters in Dubai, and facilitate local partnerships and initiatives. McWilliam replaces Mary Heron, who has retired after a distinguished 44-year travel career, including five years at Emirates.
McWilliam’s career includes stints with leading international carriers. For the past eight years, he was Canadian General Manager for Austrian Airlines. Prior to that post he spent two years as Air Canada’s Director of Field Sales. Earlier in his career McWilliam worked with Canadian Airlines for numerous years as the Regional Vice President of Sales and held the role of District Sales Manager for Western Canada in the Vancouver market.
“I’m delighted to welcome someone as experienced as Don McWilliam to lead up Emirates’ Canadian Operations. The entire team is looking forward to working with him,” said Nigel Page, Emirates’ Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations, North America. “Don will oversee Canada, one of Emirates’ fastest-growing markets. We operate three flights a week aboard the Emirates A380 between Dubai and Toronto, which are consistently at or near full capacity,” he added.
“I am proud to be one of the 500 Canadians working at Emirates today,” McWilliam said. “I’m also honoured to take on this new role for Emirates within Canada and want to thank my predecessor, Mary Heron, for her tremendous job in building the Emirates business. I look forward to success with the team as we continue to enhance our service offering in the months ahead.”
