Semelas will succeed Mikail Houari, who significantly expanded Airbus' presence in the region.
Airbus has announced the appointment of Gabriel Semelas as President for Africa and the Middle East, effective January 1, 2025. Semelas, with over 24 years of experience in the aeronautical industry, returns to Airbus from his role as Chief Commercial and Financial Officer at Eurofighter Jagdflugzeug GmbH in Germany. He previously led Airbus contracts team for the Commercial Aircraft division in the same region.
In his new role, Semelas will oversee Airbus’ operations across all divisions in Africa and the Middle East, a crucial region for the companys strategic growth.
Speaking about the new appointment, Wouter Van Wersch, Executive Vice President International at Airbus, said: “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.”
Gabriel Semelas added: “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.”
Gabriel Semelas succeeds Mikail Houari, who has played a crucial role in expanding Airbus footprint in the region over the past years.
With more than 3,300 employees in the region, Airbus is committed to providing top-tier products and services while sourcing supplies from local companies and supporting regional partners with technical expertise. The company has also launched initiatives to develop local talent, fostering the next generation of aerospace leaders.