Airbus, the European aerospace giant, is making significant strides in strengthening its presence in India, as evidenced by its first-ever annual strategy meeting held in Delhi. This move underscores the company's commitment to the rapidly growing Indian aviation market and aligns with the country's 'Make in India' initiative.

Board Meets Indian Officials and Executives

The Airbus board of directors is using this opportunity to engage with key stakeholders in the Indian aviation sector. Meetings are scheduled with government officials and executives from major Indian carriers, including IndiGo and Air India. These discussions are likely to focus on Airbus's expanding role in India's aerospace industry and potential collaborations.

Responding to India's Aviation Boom

The timing of this high-level meeting is strategic, coming as Indian carriers have placed orders for over 1,500 aircraft. This surge in demand has intensified pressure on Airbus to enhance its local presence and manufacturing capabilities in India.

Current and Future Sourcing Plans

Airbus currently sources components worth $1.40 billion annually from more than 40 Indian suppliers. The company aims to increase this figure to $2.00 billion by 2030, representing a significant scaling up of its Indian operations. Notably, Airbus has already tripled its Indian sourcing from $500.00 million in 2019 to $1.48 billion last year.

Visiting Key Suppliers

As part of their Delhi visit, the Airbus board will tour facilities of important Indian suppliers, including Tata Advanced Systems and Dynamatic Technologies. These visits are likely to focus on strengthening existing partnerships and exploring new opportunities for collaboration.

Airbus's Growing Footprint in India

Airbus's commitment to India extends beyond sourcing:

• The company directly employs over 3,600 people in the country
• It supports approximately 15,000 jobs in its supply chain
• Airbus is establishing two Final Assembly Lines in partnership with Tata:
  1. C-295 military transport aircraft
  2. H125 helicopters

These initiatives not only boost local manufacturing but also contribute to skill development and technology transfer in India's aerospace sector.

New Leadership for Indian Operations

In a move to further strengthen its Indian operations, Airbus has appointed Jürgen Westermeier as the new President and Managing Director for India and South Asia. This appointment is expected to drive the company's growth strategy in the region.

Conclusion

Airbus's decision to hold its annual strategy meeting in Delhi for the first time signals India's growing importance in the global aerospace industry. As the company aims to increase its sourcing from India to $2.00 billion by 2030 and expands its local manufacturing capabilities, it is poised to play a pivotal role in India's aviation growth story. This strategic move not only aligns with India's 'Make in India' campaign but also positions Airbus to capitalize on the country's booming aviation market.

Airbus, the European aerospace giant, has announced a significant leadership change for its operations in India and South Asia. Jürgen Westermeier, currently serving as Executive Vice-President and Chief Procurement Officer at Airbus, has been appointed as the new President and Managing Director for the region, effective September 1.

New Leadership for Strategic Region

The 53-year-old executive will take over from Rémi Maillard, who is set to assume the role of Executive Vice-President Engineering for Commercial Aircraft and Head of Technology at Airbus. This transition marks a key shift in Airbus's regional leadership as it continues to strengthen its presence in the rapidly growing South Asian market.

Westermeier's Role and Responsibilities

In his new position, Westermeier will spearhead Airbus' business across its diverse portfolio in the region, including:

• Commercial Aircraft
• Defence and Space
• Helicopters

His responsibilities will encompass a wide range of strategic areas:

• Leading commercial aircraft sales
• Expanding the company's footprint in services
• Overseeing engineering initiatives
• Driving digital and innovation projects
• Developing training programs

Notably, Westermeier will also play a crucial role in supporting Airbus' 'Make in India' initiatives, aligning with the country's push for local manufacturing and self-reliance in the aerospace sector.

A Seasoned Professional

Westermeier brings a wealth of experience to his new role. He joined Airbus as Chief Procurement Officer in 2020, demonstrating his expertise in supply chain management and procurement strategies. His educational background includes a degree in Industrial Engineering from the University of Karlsruhe, Germany.

Prior to his tenure at Airbus, Westermeier began his career with BMW in 1998, indicating over two decades of experience in the automotive and aerospace industries.

Strategic Importance of India and South Asia

This appointment underscores the strategic importance of India and South Asia for Airbus. As one of the fastest-growing aviation markets globally, India presents significant opportunities for aerospace manufacturers. Westermeier's appointment is likely aimed at capitalizing on these opportunities and further strengthening Airbus's position in the region.

The leadership change comes at a time when the aviation industry is recovering from the impacts of the global pandemic, with domestic and regional air travel showing strong signs of revival in South Asia.

As Jürgen Westermeier prepares to take the helm of Airbus's operations in India and South Asia, the industry will be watching closely to see how his leadership shapes the company's strategy and growth in this vital market.