Lusaka and Harare – Emirates, which flies daily from Harare via Lusaka to Dubai, has appointed Omar Bushlaibi and Ahmed Ismail to head the Zimbabwe and Zambia country offices, respectively.
The two Country Managers, whose appointments come into effect from November 1, 2025, will be responsible for Emirates’ overall business in Zambia and Zimbabwe, overseeing sales and service functions for the airline’s passenger, cargo, management and airport operations.
Bushlaibi who is presently Country Manager for Zambia and interim Country Manager for Zimbabwe, takes over from Talal Al Gergawi.
Bushlaibi has worked for Emirates for 11 years, during which time he has served as Country Manager in Zambia and Oman for three years each, and as Commercial Support Manager in India and Commercial Manager in Bangladesh for one year respectively before that.
Commenting on his appointment, Bushlaibi said: “I look forward to joining the Emirates team in Zimbabwe as we continue to provide the world acclaimed Emirates experience to our customers.”
Ismail, who takes over from his counterpart as Country Manager for Zambia, joined the Emirates Group in 2024. He was previously with Ernest & Young MENA as a Senior Consultant for a year and served as Senior Associate at PricewaterhouseCoopers for three years prior to that.
Commenting on his appointment, Ismail said: “Zambia is a growing and exciting market. I look forward to working with the Emirates team to connect customers to people and opportunities across Emirates’ expanding network.”
Emirates recently announced new appointments to its commercial leadership team as it ramps up its network, fleet and products for its next era of growth. These strategic appointments reflect the airline’s ongoing commitment to cultivate exceptional talent and develop the next generation of industry leaders.
