Outgoing Etihad Aviation Group chief executive James Hogan has been recognised in the Queen’s birthday honours list.

The Australian aviation leader was presented with the Order of Australia for services to the aviation industry and the development of tourism and trade links between Australia and the Arabian Gulf states.

The list of honours was published on the website of the governor-general of the commonwealth of Australia in celebration of the Queen’s official birthday.

Hogan joined Etihad Airways as its chief executive in 2006 and led the airline into a series of code shares and seven minority investments in other carriers, including Air Berlin and Alitalia, to stimulate the growth of its network and passenger numbers.

This helped to transform it from a US$300 million a year airline into a diversified aviation and tourism group, together with its airline equity partners, that generates revenues of more than $26 billion.

Under his guidance the airline was recognised as the World’s Leading Airline for eight consecutive years by the World Travel Awards.

Hogan moved to his current role just over a year ago and in January Etihad confirmed he would leave the group in the second half of this year.

He had previous run the Bahrain-based carrier Gulf Air for four years before joining Etihad.

“One of the most important drivers of economic prosperity for Australia is its ability to connect to the rest of the world.

“I am proud to have played a part in building those bridges.

“I am grateful for this recognition of that work,” Hogan said in a statement.