The leadership change comes as the Dubai-based airline continues expanding its presence in the country following an increase in flight frequencies earlier this year.
Al Zarooni joined Emirates in 2006 and has built an international career spanning Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia. Before assuming the Philippines role, he served as the airline's Vice President for Saudi Arabia, a position he took on in 2024.
Why it matters
The appointment underscores Emirates' focus on strengthening its commercial footprint in the Philippines, a market that has long supported business, tourism and overseas Filipino worker travel.
The airline is positioning itself to capture growing demand by reinforcing local leadership while expanding network connectivity.
Over nearly 20 years with Emirates, Al Zarooni has held leadership and commercial positions in Cyprus, Uganda, Tanzania, Morocco, Greece, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. His experience covers commercial strategy, corporate sales, stakeholder engagement and government relations, while leading multicultural teams across diverse international markets.
The big picture
Al Zarooni's tenure has been marked by industry recognition. His teams earned Emirates' Top Sales Team Award in Morocco and the Top Corporate Award in Saudi Arabia.
During his assignment in Greece, he was elected president and chair of the board of Airline Representatives by the foreign airline community, becoming the youngest person to hold the position. He also holds an MBA from the University of Wolverhampton in England.
“The Philippines has long been one of Emirates' key markets in Southeast Asia,” Al Zarooni said in a press statement.
"Building on Emirates' 36-year presence in the country, I look forward to working with our customers, travel trade partners and stakeholders to unlock new opportunities for growth and further strengthen Emirates' position in the market," he added.
Earlier this year, Emirates increased its services through Manila, Cebu and Clark to 32 weekly flights, enhancing connections between the Philippines and the airline's global network via its Dubai hub.
The latest leadership appointment aligns with the carrier's strategy of supporting sustained growth and strengthening relationships with customers, travel partners and government stakeholders in the local market. —Vanessa Hidalgo| Ed: Corrie S. Narisma
