James Hogan is stepping down as president & CEO of the Etihad Aviation Group.
The Australian, who has led Etihad since 2006, will leave the Abu Dhabi-based airline in the second half of 2017.
The transition process began last year when Peter Baumgartner replaced Hogan as CEO of Etihad Airways. At that time, Hogan and chief financial officer James Rigney moved to the newly-formed the Etihad Aviation Group. But both Hogan and Rigney will now leave the company.
Etihad said that a “global search” for a new group CEO and CFO is now underway.
“We are very grateful to James. In just 10 years, he has overseen the growth of the company from a 22-plane regional carrier into a 120 aircraft global airline and aviation group, with seven airline equity partnerships,” said HE Mohamed Mubarak Fadhel al Mazrouei, chairman of the Etihad Aviation Group.
“To position the company for continued success in a challenging market, the board and management team will continue an ongoing, company-wide strategic review. We must ensure that the airline is the right size and the right shape. We must continue to improve cost efficiency, productivity and revenue. We must progress and adjust our airline equity partnerships even as we remain committed to the strategy.”
Hogan commented; “I am very proud of what we have built together at Etihad and of the company’s substantial contribution to the UAE and to the development of Abu Dhabi. The last decade has seen incredible results but this only represents a first chapter in the story of Etihad.”
Hogan’s aviation career began with Australia’s Ansett Airlines in 1975. He subsequently worked for companies including British Midland International, Hertz, Forte Hotels and Gulf Air, before joining Etihad in 2006. He will now join an investment company.
