Abu Dhabi, March 3 (IANS/WAM): Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Monday announced the next step in its long-term business strategy, with the creation of the Etihad Aviation Group, a new structure marking its transition from a single entity airline to a wider global aviation group.

The new Etihad Aviation Group structure, headed by James Hogan as group president and chief executive officer, distinguishes the functions relating purely to Etihad Airways and those required to interface with and support the growth and success of its subsidiaries, joint venture companies and equity partners.

"Ten years ago we started life as a small regional carrier, but with global ambitions,” Hogan said while speaking on the occasion.

“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,” he said.

Stating that it was important that this exciting new approach and philosophy was “reflected in the way we organise ourselves,” he said: “The new Etihad Aviation Group structure reflects this diversification and is a natural development to deliver continued and sustainable success for Etihad Airways and its partners."

A new position of chief operating fficer of Etihad Airways has been created to oversee the day-to-day running of the core airline.