Airbus Announces Operational and Sales Leadership Changes After Restructuring Airliner Arm

Airbus has made key leadership appointments as part of a management reshuffle following a reorganization of its main planemaking business under a new CEO.

The world’s largest planemaker has appointed Florent Massou as head of operations and confirmed Benoit de Saint-Exupery as the new head of sales, succeeding Christian Scherer, who is set to become the CEO of the core commercial planemaking business starting January 1.

Alberto Gutierrez, the outgoing chief operating officer, will remain on the main executive committee in a new role overseeing “special industrial projects” and taking responsibility for Spain.

Julie Kitcher, currently in charge of communications and corporate affairs, has been promoted to the newly created role of chief sustainability officer while retaining control of communications.

This management reshuffle comes as Airbus seeks to restructure its main business unit to focus on jet production and strategic initiatives. Guillaume Faury, the overall CEO, is expected to concentrate on strategy, particularly with regard to defense and space projects.

Under this new structure, Programmes and Operations will both report to Scherer, with both roles sitting on the main executive committee under Faury.

Airbus has decided not to re-create a new commercial divisional structure to mirror the reorganization of top jobs. Scherer will oversee the commercial business as CEO of that activity, which will remain within the Airbus parent entity under Faury’s overall control.

This restructuring aims to streamline Airbus’s operations while maintaining agility and flexibility. Airbus merged its parent and main commercial division in 2017 and is hesitant to return to a traditional headquarters structure due to the scale of its commercial operations, which make up around 70% of its revenue.

The reshuffle is expected to bring fresh perspectives and approaches to the leadership team as Airbus continues to navigate challenges and opportunities in the aerospace industry.

Delivery numbers have shown improvement since the summer after earlier declines, signaling a positive trajectory for the company.

Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, msn.com, airbus.com, reuters.com