Etihad Aviation Group formed

Etihad Airways, the flag carrier of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), has announced the creation of Etihad Aviation Group, the next step in its long-term business strategy.

The new structure marks the transition from a single entity airline to a wider global aviation group, the Abu Dhabi-based carrier said in an announcement.

Group president and CEO James Hogan said, “Ten years ago we started life as a small regional carrier, but with global ambitions. Since then we have grown to become one of the world’s leading passenger and cargo airlines, and have expanded and diversified our operations outside the core airline business laying the foundations to become one of the leading aviation and travel groups in the world.”

A key element in the new structure is the establishment of the Hala Group, led by COO Peter Baumgartner, formerly CCO-Etihad Airways. The Hala Group has been formed to recognize the airline’s commercial opportunities.

Group president and CEO James Hogan said the new structure would “greatly enhance and improve the way we work in harmony with our partner airlines and subsidiaries”

Etihad has created two new positions—COO-Etihad Airways and COO-Equity Partners. The former position will oversee the day-to-day running of the core airline. The latter position—which is part of a new division to coordinate and manage Etihad’s investments in its equity airline partners—will ensure an ongoing interface between the airline and its equity partners.

The person in this position will be responsible for leading the identification and realization of synergy benefits across the equity alliance, as well as having direct responsibility for Air Seychelles and Air Serbia.

Etihad Airways holds a 49-percent stake in Air Serbia, Serbia's flag carrier that was founded on 26 October 2013.