Qatar Airways CEO may have been a thorn in the side of the aircraft manufacturers, but France has recognized the value of Akbar Al Baker's contribution, vigour and leadership that has driven changes at Airbus – Europe's largest OEM with one of its highest honours.

Etihad Airways has appointed Sarah Built as its new general manager for Australia and New Zealand, based in Sydney.

Dnata has appointed Emma Deane as Vice President Commercial & Business Development. In the role, Emma will support the growth of Dnata's UAE ground handling and Marhaba operations.

Lufthansa Technik will be equipping the 100th aircraft of the Lufthansa Airbus A320 family fleet with sound-reducing vortex generators in the next few weeks.

News Briefs from the July 1, 2015 issue of MRO Digest

SR Technics has been selected to provide Integrated Component Services for Etihad Airways’ new Boeing 787s and is in advanced discussions on further MRO contracts.

Emirates-CAE Flight Training (ECFT), a joint venture between CAE and Emirates airline, has ordered two simulators --a Boeing B737-800W and a Gulfstream 650-- as well as a Gulfstream 650 CAE Simfinity integrated procedures trainer (IPT) and a series of virtual simulators from Montreal-based CAE.

Air Seychelles has announced the appointment of Roy Kinnear as its new chief executive officer, with effect from 1 July 2015.