Airbus has named Gabriel Semelas as its new President for Africa and the Middle East, effective January 1, 2025. With over 24 years of experience in the aeronautical industry, Semelas will be responsible for overseeing Airbus’ operations across all divisions in this strategically important region.
Semelas, who previously led the contracts team for Airbus’ Commercial Aircraft business in Africa and the Middle East, returns to the company from his current role as Chief Commercial and Financial Officer at Eurofighter Jagdflugzeug GmbH in Germany. He succeeds Mikail Houari, who played a key role in expanding Airbus’ presence in the region.
Wouter Van Wersch, Executive Vice President International at Airbus, praised Semelas’ appointment, stating, “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 region.”
In his remarks, Semelas expressed his excitement, saying, “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.”
As part of its strategic expansion, Airbus has also announced the opening of a new Customer Support Centre in Johannesburg, South Africa. This centre will enhance Airbus’ local presence, providing tailored support to customers and improving operational efficiency. The new hub aims to support the growth of Africa’s aviation ecosystem by offering maintenance, training, and technical resources, empowering airlines to operate more autonomously.
Laurent Negre, VP of Customer Services Africa and Middle East at Airbus, highlighted the significance of the new centre, stating, “With the rapid expansion of the latest generation aircraft on the continent, Africa requires additional dedicated support and skills to meet the increasing demand for intra-African and international connectivity. We are proud to open this new office to increase our proximity to customers while continuing to develop solutions for Africa, in Africa, and by Africa.”
This move underlines Airbus’ commitment to fostering local talent, sourcing from regional suppliers, and supporting the African aviation industry’s long-term growth.
