Airbus board appointments herald CEO decision next year, sources say
Airbus appointed Amparo Moraleda as board chair, and sources expect a decision on whether to renew or replace CEO Guillaume Faury in 2027, ahead of his April 2028 deadline.
1. Succession decision expected
Airbus said Amparo Moraleda, a former Spanish energy executive, had taken over as board chair after being designated in April. Several people familiar with the company expect a decision on whether to renew or replace CEO Guillaume Faury in 2027, well before his mandate deadline in April 2028; two sources said the board could begin examining succession as early as next April.
2. Potential successor
Lars Wagner, the former MTU Aero Engines CEO who took over as Airbus’ divisional jetmaking CEO in January, is widely seen as a potential successor if Faury steps down. Faury, 58, has not ruled out serving a fourth term and said he was available for the board to decide what was appropriate.
3. Leadership context
Airbus said the board changes include its first female chair and its first chair from outside the Franco-German power base. The company’s Spanish staff voted on Thursday to end a strike that had followed months of labor disputes.
