Etihad unveils new structure as Hogan steps up to group leadership role

James Hogan will step up to lead the newly created Etihad Aviation Group

Etihad Airways has unveiled a new management structure with the creation of Etihad Aviation Group.

The new enterprise – which will operate assets including Etihad Airways, Etihad Airways Engineering, Etihad Global Cargo Management Company, the Global Loyalty Company, Hala Abu Dhabi, and Etihad Airport Services – will be led by James Hogan.

Hogan, currently chief executive of Etihad Airways, will step up to the roles of chairman and chief executive of the new company with immediate effect.

He will be replaced as chief executive of the United Arab Emirates flag-carrier by Peter Baumgartner currently chief commercial officer at the growing carrier.

Under the new division of powers Baumgartner will oversee the day-to-day operations of the carrier, considered the World’s Leading Airline by the World Travel Awards.
Hogan will oversee the operation of the group’s various companies that have been established during the growth of the airline since 2003.

Mohamed Mubarak Al Mazrouei, chairman of Etihad Aviation Group, said: “The acquisition of minority equity stakes in Alitalia, airberlin, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, Etihad Regional operated by Darwin Airline, Jet Airways, and Virgin Australia, has also necessitated the need for a dedicated team to manage our shareholding, and the delivery of wide-ranging synergies that are beneficial to all parties.”

Under the newly created structure a number of senior appointments have been made that will provide leadership, governance and strategic direction across all companies in the group, Etihad said in a statement.

These appointments include James Rigney as group chief financial officer, Kevin Knight as group chief strategy and planning officer, and Ray Gammell as group chief people and performance officer.

At the same time Robert Webb has been appointed as group chief information and technology officer.

Etihad leadership

Etihad Aviation Group has also appointed a number of new chief executives of the group companies, all of whom will report to Hogan.

Bruno Matheu, who joined Etihad Airways in 2014, has been appointed chief executive of Airline Equity Partners.

This is a promotion from his current as of chief operating office of Equity Partners.

He will oversee the synergy benefits across the airline’s strategic partners, which delivered revenues of $1.4 billion and more than five million passengers onto Etihad Airways’ flights in 2015.

Jeff Wilkinson has been appointed chief executive of Etihad Airways Engineering, a subsidiary that provides airframe and component maintenance services, along with supply chain management and design engineering, to Etihad Airways, its equity partner airlines, and third-party airlines.

Etihad Aviation Group has also expanded Hala Group, which will oversee the group’s travel and hospitality businesses, including Global Loyalty Company, group brand and marketing teams, Hala Travel Management, Hala Abu Dhabi, and Etihad Holidays.

Recruitment for the role of chief executive at this part of the group is on-going.

Hogan said the new management structure will enable the airline group to maximise its growth potential.

He explained: “Etihad Airways today is profitable with a workforce of more than 20,500 people from more than 140 nationalities.

“However, Etihad Airways is no longer a stand-alone business.

“The Etihad Aviation Group employs more than 27,000 people and these structural changes and appointments will ensure that we have a unified approach that links all parts of the group and provides wider strategic direction to deliver success.

“The new management structure will enable us to maximise opportunities for growth, revenue generation and cost control on a much bigger scale so that the Etihad Aviation Group continues to deliver to its fullest potential and for the benefit of its guests, employees and suppliers.”

Etihad Airways is considered the World’s Leading Airline by the World Travel Awards.