Christian Scherer to become new Airbus Commercial Aircraft business CEO

Airbus is unveiling a transformation in its Executive Committee’s leadership structure, creating a dedicated leader to steer the Commercial Aircraft division. The company has announced that Christian Scherer is to become new Commercial Aircraft business CEO, reporting to Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury.

“Since 2019, Airbus has overseen both its overall leadership and the Commercial Aircraft division under a single leadership structure, allowing for streamlined coordination and swift decision-making during a period marked by numerous crises and industry shifts. In alignment with our overarching mission of ‘Pioneering sustainable aerospace for a safe and united world,’ we have charted a clear course for Airbus. Empowering Christian as the CEO of the Commercial Aircraft division will enhance our ability to focus on the triumphs of this segment while affording me the opportunity to concentrate on navigating Airbus through the intricacies of a dynamic and rapidly evolving global landscape,” remarked Faury. “Christian and I have collaborated closely for the past five years, and this new arrangement will enable us to continue our productive partnership. I hold Christian’s business expertise in high regard, and I am enthusiastic about moving ahead with him to fulfil Airbus’ ambitious goals.”

“It is both an honour and an exciting responsibility to assume the leadership of our Commercial Aircraft business, especially at a pivotal juncture for our industry,” noted Scherer. “I am committed to leveraging my passion and that of the entire Airbus team to serve our customers, meet our operational targets, bolster our accomplishments, pursue continuous enhancement, and lay the groundwork for the future of our products and services. Throughout this journey, we will work closely with our global partners and suppliers to jointly advance our roadmap for decarbonizing aviation.”

Scherer was appointed Airbus Chief Commercial Officer in September 2018 and is a Member of the company’s Executive Committee. He is also heading Airbus International. He was previously Chief Executive Officer of ATR, a position he held since November 2016. Prior to this, he was Executive Vice-President and Head of Airbus Group International, responsible for driving the overall Airbus Group internationalisation strategy.

Born in Duisburg, Germany and raised in Toulouse, France, Scherer holds an MBA from the University of Ottawa and graduated from the Paris Business School (ESCP) in 1984.

This revamped organisational structure will be established in collaboration with the company’s labour representatives in the coming months, with a planned implementation date in project mode starting from January 1, 2024.