New Delhi :  Emirates airline Wednesday said it has made key management changes in its commercial operations department with Essa Sulaiman Ahmad joining as the new vice president, India and Nepal.

Ahmad will be replacing Orhan Abbas, who has been made senior vice president, commercial operations, the Americas. "I am honoured to have been given the opportunity to take over Emirates operations in India -- one of the airline s largest and most vital markets," Sulaiman said. In a statement, the airline said the changes in the commercial operations department included the "creation of several new commercial management roles that will form a crucial part of the airline s route development strategy".

These would help the airline to meet its demanding growth trajectory, it added. The airline said Ahmed Khoory had been appointed senior vice president, commercial operations, West Asia and Indian Ocean. The Dubai-based Emirates operates 185 weekly flights from 10 Indian destinations.