The Etihad Aviation Group Board of Directors on Tuesday announced the departure of James Hogan, the company’s President and Chief Executive Officer. Hogan will step down from his position in the second half of 2017, Etihad Airways said in a statement.

It added that Hogan will join an investment company along with Etihad Aviation Group CFO James Rigney, who will also leave the company later this year.  A global search for a new Group CEO and a new Group CFO is already underway.

Hogan took the helm at Etihad Airways in 2006.

“In just 10 years, he [Hogan] 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 which together serve more than 120 million guests every year. We look forward to James’ continued association with Abu Dhabi in new ways,” stated Mohammad Mubarak Fadhel Al Mazrouei, Chairman of the Board of the Etihad Aviation Group.

The Board and Hogan first initiated the transition process last year with the formation in May of the Etihad Aviation Group, a diversified global aviation and travel organisation.

“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,” Al Mazrouei added.

“Etihad is a great business with strong fundamentals and a deeply experienced aviation and airline management team. These assets, along with a realigned organisation, provide more agility and added focus as Etihad enters the next phase of its development.”

Source Gulf News