James Hogan to leave Gulf Air

Gulf Air's President and Chief Executive James Hogan is to leave the company in late 2006, following completion of the Project Falcon turnaround programme and the implementation of the airline’s new strategic plan, Smart Airline, Successful Business, which was endorsed by the Board earlier this year.

A new president and chief executive is expected to be appointed before Mr Hogan’s departure.

Abdul Aziz Jassim Kanoo, chairman of the Board of Directors of Gulf Air, said, “On behalf of the Board, I would like to thank James Hogan for the strong and decisive leadership he has shown over the last four years, helping Gulf Air to return to its rightful place as one of the world’s leading airline brands. His vision and commitment have been exemplary.”

James Hogan joined Gulf Air in May 2002, when he introduced the Project Falcon turnaround programme. Over the following three years, this cut the airline’s losses and returned it to profit, in 2004. In addition, Project Falcon saw a re-branding of the airline and the launch of unique services including Gulf Traveller, Sky Chefs and Sky Nannies.

The airline won many different awards over that period, including Most Improved Airline, Middle East Leading First Class Airline, MENA Platinum Best Airline and the prestigious Mercury Award for in-flight service.

Mr Hogan said, “I am incredibly proud of the progress made by Gulf Air over the last four years. It has become one of the top airline brands in the world, with a service portfolio that is the envy of competitors in the region and across the globe.

“Now, with Project Falcon completed and all the major elements of the new strategy in place or under way, my work has been completed and it is on this basis that I made my decision to move on to new challenges.”

See other recent news regarding: Travel News Asia, Gulf Air