Since its founding in 2003, Etihad Airways has managed to storm its way to the forefront of the airline industry. This week, the airline’s parent company announced that long-time CE James Hogan will step down from his post later this year. Hogan, who became the airline’s CE in 2006, is credited as the man who oversaw Etihad’s meteoric rise from a 22-aircraft regional airline to a global aviation conglomerate with equity in more than half a dozen international airlines and a fleet of 700-plus aircraft. Hogan’s departure doesn’t necessarily serve as a signal of impending trouble at Etihad, as much as a confirmation that the era of explosive growth at the airline — and its fellow Middle Eastern mega carriers — is over. <br/>