Etihad Airways Group is getting to set to name its new CEO within the next few months, according to a statement by the company.

“The successful candidate is expected to start no later than the beginning of 2018,” the statement read.

Former Etihad CEO James Hogan departed from the company in May, with Ray Gammel serving as interim CEO until a permanent successor was named.

The move signalled that the Etihad board had decided it was time to to move away from Hogan’s plan to take up equity stakes in struggling carriers around the world, including Alitalia and Airberlin, as a way to boost revenues.

Losses at both Alitalia and Airberlin weighed in heavily at Etihad Aviation Group’s results this year which reflected a net loss of $1.87 billion. Both airlines are now entering administration after Etihad announced it would not pledge additional financing.