A senior level management shake up at Etihad Airways has seen chief executive James Hogan elevated to a new role.
He becomes president and chief executive of Abu Dhabi-based holding company Etihad Aviation Group.
Day-to-day running of the airline will pass to Peter Baumgartner, who is promoted from being chief commercial officer.
Bruno Mathew’s role as chief operating officer of airline equity partners is upgraded to chief executive of the division.
Etihad Aviation Group chairman, Al Mazrouei said: “Etihad Airways has been steadily evolving into the Etihad Aviation Group for a number of years.
“This has been driven by the formation of new companies, including Etihad Airways Engineering, Etihad Global Cargo Management Company, the Global Loyalty Company, Hala Abu Dhabi and Etihad Airport Services.
“The acquisition of minority equity stakes in Alitalia, Air Berlin, 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.”
Hogan said: “Etihad Airways today is profitable with a workforce of more than 20,500 people from more than 140 nationalities.
“We have more than 3,000 UAE nationals, reflecting our role as a key enabler and contributor to the growth of Abu Dhabi and its workforce. We have strong succession planning in place to ensure that our commitment to Emiratisation constantly strengthens and deepens.
“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.”