Abu Dhabi's Etihad Aviation Group has adopted a new organisational structure comprising seven divisions: operations, commercial, MRO, human resources, finance, support services and transformation.
The group says its chief executive Tony Douglas, who took the helm at the start of the year, is assuming responsibility for core airline Etihad Airways. Peter Baumgartner – who has led Etihad Airways as chief executive since 2016 – will meanwhile serve as senior strategic adviser to Douglas.
Baumgartner is to "advise at group level on global partnerships and innovation", says Etihad.
Mohammad Al Bulooki has meanwhile been promoted to chief operating officer. He previously served as Etihad Airways' executive vice-president of commercial, and in his new role will take charge of network operations, flight and technical operations, fleet engineering, aviation security and safety, as well as the Etihad Airport Services entity. He will also be responsible for the airline's pilot and cabin crew.
Robin Kamark, who joined Etihad Aviation Group in April 2017, has been appointed chief commercial officer and will "spearhead the overall commercial strategy of the airline". He will also lead destination management arm Hala.
Ray Gammell, who served as interim group chief before Douglas's appointment, will assume responsibility for airline equity partners. The carrier's European carrier investments were hit after it decided against further funding of Air Berlin and Alitalia last year amid spiralling losses, prompting both to enter formal restructuring. Air Berlin ultimately ceased operations, as ultimately did Darwin Airline – in which Etihad sold its stake earlier in 2017.
The airline though retains stakes in another European operator, Air Serbia, as well as Indian carrier Jet Airways, Virgin Australia and Air Seychelles.
Ibrahim Nassir has been named as HR chief; Abdul Khaliq Saeed as chief engineering officer (MRO); Mark Powers as chief financial officer; Mana Al Mulla as chief support services officer; and Akram Alami as chief transformation officer.
"We are now well equipped to deliver our plans as a reinvigorated innovator brand, with an optimised and profitable network, technologically advanced fleet, and a strengthened position as the global airline of choice, run by a seasoned team of talented professionals," states Douglas. "The fact that almost half of our leadership team are UAE nationals reflects our strong succession planning efforts and commitment to developing Emirati talent."
He adds: "We are already seeing positive results even during this early phase of our transformation. The eventual aim of this process is for Etihad to be in the best shape to ensure its long-term sustainability, enabling it to meet the challenges of an aviation industry in constant flux."
Etihad says its core airline division improved its core operating performance 22% last year.
Source: Cirium Dashboard
