Ex-Etihad chief Hogan joins Monaco drone firm FLYDE

FLYDE, the drone delivery company incubated through MonacoTech, has brought in James Hogan as strategic adviser and investor through his private vehicle. Hogan led Etihad Airways between 2006 and 2017, a period in which the Abu Dhabi carrier grew from a regional operator into one of the Gulf's major airlines, giving him direct experience of scaling an aviation business internationally.

For FLYDE, the appointment signals ambitions beyond its current base in the Principality. The company is positioning itself to expand drone delivery operations across the Mediterranean, and Hogan's background in aviation regulation, route networks and cross-border operations is likely to prove useful as it seeks approval to fly in new jurisdictions.

The move also reflects Monaco's growing reputation as a base for aviation and logistics start-ups, with MonacoTech continuing to attract ventures that combine technology with the Principality's connections to international finance and business figures. For residents, the practical implications remain to be seen, but a credible aviation name joining a locally incubated firm adds weight to Monaco's ambitions in this sector.