Airbus Appoints Gabriel Semelas President For Middle East And Africa, Effective January 2025

Gabriel Semelas has been appointed as the President of Airbus for Africa and the Middle East, starting from January 1, 2025. This new role will see him manage operations across all divisions in these regions, which are crucial for Airbus' strategic growth.

With over 24 years in the aeronautical sector, Gabriel Semelas brings a wealth of experience to his new position. He is returning to Airbus after serving as Chief Commercial and Financial Officer at Eurofighter Jagdflugzeug GmbH in Germany. Before that, he led the contracts team for Airbus' Commercial Aircraft business in Africa and the Middle East.

Wouter Van Wersch, Executive Vice President International at Airbus, expressed confidence in Semelas' appointment. "Gabriel's extensive background in the aeronautical industry, coupled with his proven leadership skills, makes him the ideal candidate to lead Airbus' operations in Africa and the Middle East. We are confident that under his leadership, we will continue to strengthen our presence and partnerships in this strategically important region," he stated.

Semelas takes over from Mikail Houari, who significantly expanded Airbus' presence in these areas over recent years. Under Houari's leadership, Airbus has grown its footprint considerably throughout Africa and the Middle East.

Airbus employs more than 3,300 people across the Middle East and Africa. The company is dedicated to providing top-tier products and services to its customers within these regions. It actively engages with local suppliers for components and offers comprehensive technical support to partners.

The company has also initiated several programmes aimed at developing skills and nurturing future leaders within the aerospace industry in these regions. These initiatives are part of Airbus' commitment to fostering talent locally.

Gabriel Semelas expressed his enthusiasm about his new role: "I am honoured to take on this responsibility at such a pivotal time for Airbus in Africa and the Middle East. I look forward to working with our talented teams and partners to drive growth and innovation in this dynamic market."