Airbus Elevates Christian Scherer to CEO Role in Commercial Aircraft Division
Airbus has appointed Christian Scherer as CEO of its commercial aircraft division, marking a significant leadership change after four years. This move is aimed at enhancing the focus on the company’s primary business as it intensifies jet production.
Scherer, who currently serves as Airbus’s Chief Commercial Officer and has a robust background in planemaking strategy, will officially assume the role of CEO of the Commercial Aircraft division starting January 1. This transition follows discussions with employee unions to ensure a smooth leadership shift.
This strategic leadership shift positions Christian Scherer as the second-in-command at Europe’s largest aerospace group, allowing the group CEO, Guillaume Faury, to concentrate on overseeing the broader portfolio. This move is particularly significant as it comes at a time when Airbus faces uncertainties in its future space endeavors and the development of a new fighter aircraft.
This appointment is expected to bring continuity within Airbus’s commercial aircraft arm, which accounts for approximately 70% of the company’s total revenues. It’s essential for Airbus to maintain operational stability, especially given the disruptions experienced in the global supply chain within the aerospace industry.
Future Plans and Objectives
Christian Scherer has expressed his commitment to meeting operational objectives and preparing for the future of Airbus’s products and services. Airbus has ambitious plans to deliver 720 jets this year and aims to increase single-aisle jet production by about 50% to 75 planes per month by 2026. This expansion plan will require addressing supply chain challenges, which the company has been actively working on.
While this appointment signifies a return to having a dedicated CEO for the commercial aircraft division, it’s important to note that Airbus does not intend to revert to the previous structure with separate entities. Instead, this change is seen as a cautious compromise to improve operational leadership without recreating the previous dual-structure that led to internal conflicts.
Christian Scherer’s appointment as CEO of Airbus’s Commercial Aircraft division is a significant step in optimizing the company’s leadership structure to meet its ambitious production goals and navigate challenges in the aerospace industry. This move aims to balance leadership roles and maintain a strong focus on Airbus’s core business while addressing uncertainties in its broader portfolio.
Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, msn.com, airbus.com, reuters.com