Air Tahiti Nui welcomes new GM for AU/NZ Region
Daniel Eggenberger has been appointed Air Tahiti Nui General Manager Pacific, covering the Australian and New Zealand markets.
The Swiss national has relocated to the region from Amsterdam where he spent the past four years as a strategic consultant on projects ranging from arts to aviation and e-commerce to hospitality.
After
starting his career in finance, Mr Eggenberger moved into
the aviation sector where he gained valuable experience over
the past 18 years in sales, marketing, commercial and
consulting roles.
He held several management posts at KLM Royal Dutch Airlines and Air France including Sales and Marketing Manager in Zürich and Vienna, Commercial Director for Central and Eastern Europe in Geneva, and Country Manager in Oslo, where he oversaw seven gateways operating more than 30 daily flights.
He also holds a Masters in Business Administration and a Masters in Economics and Marketing.
Mr Eggenberger, who officially commenced
duties yesterday, said he was thrilled to be joining the
airline at such an exciting time.
“This posting is a dream come true for so many reasons. Air Tahiti Nui is a modern airline that offers a niche product with a wonderful sense of family, as well as an international network that will soon be connected by a fleet of cutting-edge Dreamliners,” he said.
“I’ve previously spent time in New Zealand and Australia so I’m excited to be overseeing these markets in my new role. I lived in Auckland for a few months and spent a lot of time travelling across the North and South Islands from Cape Reinga to Bluff and East Cape to Milford Sound. I also have a strong affinity with Australia after spending some time in Sydney taking English classes in my 20s, and visiting Ayers Rock, the Olgas, Fraser Island and the Great Barrier Reef. It’s wonderful to call the beautiful Pacific region home and I can’t wait to get to know our valued industry and trade partners as we embark on this exciting next chapter.”
The appointment comes on the eve of the airline’s 20th anniversary celebrations, with the airline’s first Tahitian Dreamliner commencing service next week.
The flag carrier for French Polynesia is phasing out its current Airbus A340-300 fleet and replacing it with four 787-9 Dreamliners. All four aircraft are expected to be in service by September 2019 with the first B787-9 commencing operation on the Auckland to Papeete route on November 8, 2018.