matthew jenningsAbu Dhabi-based global airline Etihad Airways has added Matthew Jennings in Washington in the new post of senior manager of public affairs as it expands in the US.

Jennings led legislative affairs for the International Air Transport Association, the airlines' main trade group.

Etihad, which carried 11.5M passengers last year as the flagship airline for the United Arab Emirates, in June added service from Abu Dhabi to Los Angeles International Airport and slates San Francisco and Dallas-Fort Worth routes for opening in November and December. It serves existing routes in Washington, Chicago and New York.

Etihad launched in 2003 under decree of UAE's Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

Jennings is a former staffer to Rep. Henry Brown (R-SC).