Dubai: James Hogan, Gulf Air president and chief executive, and the man who almost single-handedly piloted the loss-making airline into profitability, has resigned, apparently to pursue a career in "another Gulf airline", sources said.
In a statement, the airline said, "Gulf Air confirmed today the planned departure of president and chief executive James Hogan in late 2006."
The surprise development comes after a three-year renewal of Hogan's contract with the carrier earlier this year and follows the successful completion of its three-year turnaround programme Project Falcon, during which the airline saw Abu Dhabi, one of Gulf Air's four founding partners, parting ways to launch its own carrier, Etihad.
"I am incredibly proud of the progress made by Gulf Air over the last four years. The future of Gulf Air is assured by the one key factor that has seen it develop so strongly over the last four years: its people," Hogan said in a statement.
This is the second major resignation by a CEO from a Gulf airline in as many months. Robert Strodel resigned from Etihad in May.
Although it is unclear which Gulf airline Hogan is tipped to lead, Etihad is the only one left without a chief executive.
When asked if Hogan was tipped to join, an Etihad spokesperson said, "We have no information on that."
