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{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
| name         = Christian Scherer
| name         = Christian Scherer
| birth_date   = {{birth year and age|1962}}
| birth_date   = {{Birth year and age|1962}}
| birth_place = [[Duisburg]], [[Germany]]
| birth_place   = [[Duisburg]], [[Germany]]
| nationality = German, French
| nationality   = German, French
| education   = [[University of Ottawa]]<br>[[ESCP Business School|École Supérieure de Commerce de Paris]]
| education     = [[University of Ottawa]]<br>[[ESCP Business School|École Supérieure de Commerce de Paris]]
| occupation   = Business executive
| occupation   = Business executive
| known_for   = Former CEO of [[Airbus]] Commercial Aircraft
| known_for     = Former Chief Executive Officer of [[Airbus]] Commercial Aircraft
| employer     = [[Airbus]]
| employer     = [[Airbus]]
}}
}}


'''Christian Scherer''' (born 1962) is a German-French business executive who served as the [[Chief Executive Officer]] of the Commercial Aircraft business of [[Airbus]], the European multinational aerospace corporation. A career aerospace industry figure with decades of experience spanning commercial sales, defence, and executive leadership, Scherer rose through the ranks at Airbus to become one of its most prominent leaders, overseeing the company's flagship commercial aircraft division during a period of strong demand, supply chain challenges, and strategic decisions about the future of the company's product line. He held the CEO role until the end of 2025, when he was succeeded by Lars Wagner, formerly of [[MTU Aero Engines]].<ref name="airbus-wagner">{{cite web |title=Lars Wagner to become CEO of Airbus' Commercial Aircraft business on 1 January 2026 |url=https://www.airbus.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/2025-07-lars-wagner-to-become-ceo-of-airbus-commercial-aircraft-business-on |publisher=Airbus |date=2025-07-10 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> During his tenure as CEO and earlier as Chief Commercial Officer, Scherer was instrumental in managing Airbus's order book and navigating customer relationships across the global aviation industry.
'''Christian Scherer''' (born 1962) is a German-French business executive who served as the Chief Executive Officer of the Commercial Aircraft business at [[Airbus]], the European aerospace manufacturer's largest and most strategically important division. Over the course of a career spanning several decades in the aerospace and defence industries, Scherer held a succession of senior leadership roles at Airbus, including Chief Commercial Officer, before ascending to lead the company's commercial aircraft operations. His tenure at the helm of Commercial Aircraft was marked by continued development of the Airbus product line, engagement with global airline customers, and efforts to address persistent supply chain challenges. In July 2025, Airbus announced that Scherer would be succeeded as CEO of Commercial Aircraft by Lars Wagner, effective 1 January 2026, concluding a period of significant activity in product strategy and customer relations.<ref name="airbus-wagner">{{cite web |title=Lars Wagner to become CEO of Airbus' Commercial Aircraft business on 1 January 2026 |url=https://www.airbus.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/2025-07-lars-wagner-to-become-ceo-of-airbus-commercial-aircraft-business-on |publisher=Airbus |date=2025-07-10 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>


== Early Life ==
== Early Life ==


Christian Scherer was born in 1962 in [[Duisburg]], a city in the western German state of [[North Rhine-Westphalia]], situated at the confluence of the [[Rhine]] and [[Ruhr]] rivers. Duisburg, historically one of the major centres of Germany's industrial heartland, was at the time a significant hub for steel production and heavy industry. While specific details of Scherer's family background and childhood have not been widely documented in public sources, his upbringing in a bilingual and bicultural environment at the crossroads of Germany and France would later inform his career in the European aerospace industry, where he operated fluently in both languages and cultural contexts.
Christian Scherer was born in 1962 in [[Duisburg]], a city in the [[Ruhr area]] of western [[Germany]].<ref name="airbus-bio">{{cite web |title=Christian Scherer |url=https://www.airbus.com/en/about-us/our-governance/christian-scherer |publisher=Airbus |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> Holding both German and French nationality, Scherer's binational background would prove characteristic of his later career at Airbus, a company whose corporate identity is itself rooted in European cross-border cooperation between France, Germany, Spain, and the United Kingdom. Details of his upbringing and family background prior to his university education have not been widely documented in public sources.
 
Scherer holds both German and French nationality, a dual identity that reflects the broader Franco-German character of Airbus itself, a company whose origins lie in the postwar European effort to create a competitive civilian aircraft manufacturer through cross-border collaboration among France, Germany, Spain, and the United Kingdom.<ref name="airbus-governance">{{cite web |title=Christian Scherer |url=https://www.airbus.com/en/about-us/our-governance/christian-scherer |publisher=Airbus |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>


== Education ==
== Education ==


Scherer pursued higher education on both sides of the Atlantic, attending the [[University of Ottawa]] in Canada and the [[ESCP Business School|École Supérieure de Commerce de Paris]] (ESCP), one of the oldest and most prestigious business schools in France and Europe.<ref name="airbus-governance" /> The University of Ottawa, a bilingual institution offering instruction in both English and French, provided Scherer with an international academic grounding. ESCP, founded in 1819, is a leading European business school known for its emphasis on international management and cross-cultural business skills. This combination of North American and European education equipped Scherer with the linguistic versatility and international perspective that would characterise his subsequent career in global aerospace.
Scherer pursued higher education at two institutions in different countries, reflecting his dual Franco-German heritage. He studied at the [[University of Ottawa]] in [[Canada]] and at the [[ESCP Business School|École Supérieure de Commerce de Paris]] (ESCP), one of the oldest and most prominent business schools in [[France]].<ref name="airbus-bio" /> The ESCP, founded in 1819, is a leading European business school with campuses across the continent. Scherer's educational background in business provided a foundation for his subsequent career in international aerospace management and commercial strategy.


== Career ==
== Career ==


=== Early Career at Airbus and ATR ===
=== Early Career at Airbus and MBDA ===
 
Scherer's career in the aerospace industry spans several decades and includes roles across different segments of the Airbus group. Prior to his appointments in senior commercial and executive roles, he accumulated extensive experience in both the defence and commercial sides of the business. He held positions at [[ATR (aircraft manufacturer)|ATR]], the Franco-Italian regional aircraft manufacturer that is a joint venture between Airbus and [[Leonardo S.p.A.]], where he served as CEO. His time at ATR provided him with deep knowledge of the regional aviation market and experience in leading an aircraft manufacturing organisation.<ref name="airbus-governance" />


Scherer also held senior roles within the defence and space divisions of the Airbus group, giving him a breadth of experience across the company's diverse portfolio of products and services. This cross-divisional experience was considered an asset as he moved into increasingly senior roles overseeing the commercial aircraft business.
Christian Scherer built a lengthy career within the European aerospace and defence sector. Before assuming the most prominent roles for which he became known at Airbus, Scherer held leadership positions across the broader Airbus group and its related entities. Notably, he served in a senior capacity at [[MBDA]], a European multinational developer and manufacturer of missiles, which is jointly owned by Airbus, [[BAE Systems]], and [[Leonardo S.p.A.|Leonardo]]. His experience at MBDA and within the wider Airbus defence and space operations gave him broad exposure to both the commercial and military dimensions of the aerospace business.<ref name="airbus-bio" />


=== Appointment as Chief Commercial Officer ===
=== Appointment as Chief Commercial Officer ===


In September 2018, Airbus announced the appointment of Christian Scherer as its new Chief Commercial Officer (CCO), the executive responsible for leading the company's global sales and marketing efforts for commercial aircraft. The appointment came during a period of significant leadership changes at the company.<ref name="airbus-cco">{{cite web |title=Christian Scherer appointed Airbus Chief Commercial Officer |url=https://www.airbus.com/newsroom/press-releases/en/2018/09/christian-scherer-appointed-airbus-chief-commercial-officer.html |publisher=Airbus |date=2018-09-13 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
In September 2018, Airbus announced the appointment of Christian Scherer as its Chief Commercial Officer (CCO), the executive responsible for overseeing the company's global sales campaigns, marketing, and customer relations for its commercial aircraft portfolio.<ref name="airbus-cco">{{cite web |title=Christian Scherer appointed Airbus Chief Commercial Officer |url=https://www.airbus.com/newsroom/press-releases/en/2018/09/christian-scherer-appointed-airbus-chief-commercial-officer.html |publisher=Airbus |date=2018-09-13 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> The appointment came during a period of considerable leadership turbulence at Airbus. Scherer replaced Eric Schulz, who had held the CCO position for less than a year before departing the company.<ref name="bloomberg-cco">{{cite news |title=Airbus Said to Replace Sales Head After Less Than a Year on Job |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-09-13/airbus-said-to-replace-sales-head-after-less-than-a-year-on-job |work=Bloomberg News |date=2018-09-13 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>


Scherer replaced Eric Schulz, who had held the CCO position for less than a year before departing, adding to what observers described as a complex period of leadership turnover at Airbus.<ref name="aw-schulz">{{cite news |title=Schulz Departure Adds To Complex Airbus Leadership Turnover |url=http://aviationweek.com/commercial-aviation/schulz-departure-adds-complex-airbus-leadership-turnover |work=[[Aviation Week]] |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> [[Bloomberg News]] reported on the replacement, noting the rapid change at the top of the sales organisation.<ref name="bloomberg">{{cite news |title=Airbus Said to Replace Sales Head After Less Than a Year on Job |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-09-13/airbus-said-to-replace-sales-head-after-less-than-a-year-on-job |work=[[Bloomberg News]] |date=2018-09-13 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> ''[[The Wall Street Journal]]'' also covered the appointment, characterising it as occurring "amid turbulence in senior ranks" at the European planemaker.<ref name="wsj">{{cite news |title=Airbus Names New Sales Chief Amid Turbulence in Senior Ranks |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/airbus-names-new-sales-chief-amid-turbulence-in-senior-ranks-1536855456 |work=[[The Wall Street Journal]] |date=2018-09-13 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
The leadership change at the CCO level was noted by industry observers as part of a broader pattern of senior executive turnover at Airbus during that period. Schulz's departure added complexity to what ''Aviation Week'' described as a series of leadership changes at the top of the manufacturer.<ref name="aw-schulz">{{cite news |title=Schulz Departure Adds to Complex Airbus Leadership Turnover |url=http://aviationweek.com/commercial-aviation/schulz-departure-adds-complex-airbus-leadership-turnover |work=Aviation Week |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> ''The Wall Street Journal'' reported on the appointment as part of ongoing turbulence in Airbus's senior ranks, characterizing the naming of a new sales chief as a significant move during a period of internal restructuring.<ref name="wsj-cco">{{cite news |title=Airbus Names New Sales Chief Amid Turbulence in Senior Ranks |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/airbus-names-new-sales-chief-amid-turbulence-in-senior-ranks-1536855456 |work=The Wall Street Journal |date=2018-09-13 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>


As CCO, Scherer was responsible for managing Airbus's relationships with airlines, lessors, and other customers worldwide, and for overseeing the company's order campaigns at major air shows and trade events. The role placed him at the centre of one of the most competitive commercial rivalries in global industry — the contest between Airbus and [[Boeing]] for dominance in the large commercial aircraft market.
As CCO, Scherer was responsible for leading Airbus's commercial sales efforts at a time of intense competition with rival [[Boeing]] across the full spectrum of single-aisle and widebody aircraft markets. The role placed him at the forefront of Airbus's engagement with airlines, lessors, and governments around the world, and involved overseeing order campaigns at major industry events such as the [[Paris Air Show]], [[Farnborough Airshow]], and [[Dubai Airshow]].


=== CEO of Airbus Commercial Aircraft ===
=== CEO of Airbus Commercial Aircraft ===


Scherer was subsequently elevated to the position of Chief Executive Officer of Airbus's Commercial Aircraft division, the company's largest and most important business unit, responsible for the design, manufacture, and sale of the full Airbus family of single-aisle and widebody passenger and freighter aircraft, including the [[Airbus A220|A220]], [[Airbus A320 family|A320neo family]], [[Airbus A330neo|A330neo]], and [[Airbus A350|A350]] programmes.<ref name="airbus-governance" />
Christian Scherer was subsequently elevated to the position of Chief Executive Officer of Airbus's Commercial Aircraft division, the company's core business unit responsible for the design, manufacture, and delivery of the entire Airbus civil aircraft family, including the [[Airbus A220|A220]], [[Airbus A320neo family|A320neo family]], [[Airbus A330neo|A330neo]], and [[Airbus A350|A350]] programmes. The Commercial Aircraft division constitutes the majority of Airbus's revenue and is the most closely watched part of the company by investors, customers, and industry analysts.<ref name="airdatanews">{{cite news |title=Airbus Announces New CEO of Commercial Aircraft |url=https://www.airdatanews.com/airbus-announces-new-ceo-of-commercial-aircraft/ |work=Air Data News |date=2025-07-11 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
 
In this role, Scherer oversaw a period of significant activity across the Airbus product line. A recurring theme of his tenure was the challenge of managing the company's industrial ramp-up — the effort to increase production rates of its most popular aircraft, particularly the A320neo family — in the face of persistent supply chain disruptions that affected the entire aerospace manufacturing sector in the years following the [[COVID-19 pandemic]]. Engine deliveries, raw material availability, and supplier capacity were among the factors constraining Airbus's ability to meet strong customer demand.<ref name="leeham">{{cite web |title=Airbus gets new CEO for Commercial Aircraft; faces supply chain issues, decisions on A220 Stretch, Open Fan engine |url=https://leehamnews.com/2026/01/05/airbus-gets-new-ceo-for-commercial-aircraft-faces-supply-chain-issues-decisions-on-a220-stretch-open-fan-engine/ |publisher=Leeham News and Analysis |date=2026-01-05 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>


As CEO of the commercial aircraft division, Scherer was tasked with overseeing the company's efforts to ramp up production of its best-selling A320neo family of single-aisle jets, which had accumulated a backlog of thousands of orders from airlines worldwide. This production ramp-up effort was complicated by persistent supply chain difficulties affecting the broader aerospace industry in the years following the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], with shortages and delays in the delivery of engines, structural components, and other parts constraining Airbus's ability to meet its ambitious delivery targets.
==== A350 Product Strategy ====


==== Strategic Product Decisions ====
One of the most prominent strategic discussions during Scherer's time as CEO of Commercial Aircraft concerned the potential development of a stretched variant of the [[Airbus A350|A350-1000]], the largest member of the A350 widebody family. In November 2025, Scherer publicly confirmed that Airbus was studying a potential larger version of the A350 and said the company was seeing customer interest "everywhere" in such an aircraft.<ref name="reuters-a350">{{cite news |last= |first= |date=2025-11-17 |title=Airbus says it's studying potential larger version of A350 |url=https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/airbus-says-studying-potential-larger-version-a350-2025-11-17/ |work=Reuters |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref><ref name="aw-a350">{{cite news |title=Scherer Says Airbus Sees Interest 'Everywhere' In Stretched A350 |url=https://aviationweek.com/air-transport/aircraft-propulsion/scherer-says-airbus-sees-interest-everywhere-stretched-a350 |work=Aviation Week |date=2025-11-19 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>


During his tenure as Commercial Aircraft CEO, Scherer was involved in several significant strategic decisions regarding the future development of the Airbus product line. Among the most closely watched was the question of whether to develop a stretched version of the [[Airbus A350|A350-1000]], which would create a larger variant of the widebody aircraft to compete more directly with Boeing's [[Boeing 777X|777X]] family in the upper end of the long-haul market.
The discussion of a stretched A350 was strategically significant because it positioned Airbus to compete more directly with the upper end of Boeing's widebody portfolio, particularly the [[Boeing 777X]], and potentially to fill a market segment left open by the retirement of the [[Airbus A380]]. ''Aviation Week'' reported that Scherer indicated Airbus could build such an aircraft, reflecting confidence in the A350 platform's growth potential.<ref name="aw-a350" /> ''Reuters'' described the study as part of Airbus's broader effort to ensure its product line covered the full range of airline requirements.<ref name="reuters-a350" />


In November 2025, Scherer publicly confirmed that Airbus was studying a potential larger version of the A350 and indicated that the company was seeing customer interest across the industry. Speaking at the [[Dubai Airshow]], he stated that Airbus could build a stretched version of the A350-1000 and was observing interest "everywhere" in such an aircraft.<ref name="aw-a350">{{cite news |title=Scherer Says Airbus Sees Interest 'Everywhere' In Stretched A350 |url=https://aviationweek.com/air-transport/aircraft-propulsion/scherer-says-airbus-sees-interest-everywhere-stretched-a350 |work=[[Aviation Week]] |date=2025-11-19 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> [[Reuters]] also reported on the study, noting Scherer's comments about the potential development.<ref name="reuters-a350">{{cite news |last= |first= |date=2025-11-17 |title=Airbus says it's studying potential larger version of A350 |url=https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/airbus-says-studying-potential-larger-version-a350-2025-11-17/ |work=[[Reuters]] |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
==== A220 Stretch Discussions ====


Another major product decision under consideration during Scherer's tenure was the potential stretch of the [[Airbus A220]], a smaller narrowbody aircraft that Airbus acquired through its takeover of the [[Bombardier CSeries|Bombardier C Series]] programme. In November 2025, also at the Dubai Airshow, Scherer discussed the development of a potential A220-500 stretch variant, indicating that customer consensus was pointing toward a shorter-range version of the stretched aircraft. He also addressed the engine situation for the programme, noting the desire for a second engine option beyond the existing [[Pratt & Whitney PW1000G|Pratt & Whitney GTF]]: "So far we have a Pratt engine, I'd love to have another one," Scherer stated.<ref name="aircurrent-a220">{{cite news |title=Customer consensus pushes Airbus toward shorter legs for A220 stretch |url=https://theaircurrent.com/aircraft-development/a220-500-stretch-short-range-scherer-airbus/ |work=The Air Current |date=2025-11-21 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
Scherer was also involved in discussions regarding a potential stretch of the [[Airbus A220]], the smaller narrowbody programme that Airbus acquired majority control of from [[Bombardier Aerospace|Bombardier]]. At the November 2025 [[Dubai Airshow]], Scherer addressed the A220 stretch programme, noting the emerging customer consensus around the aircraft's design parameters. ''The Air Current'' reported that Scherer commented on engine supplier considerations, stating, "So far we have a Pratt engine, I'd love to have another one," indicating interest in securing a second engine option for the A220 family — a significant strategic consideration given the historical reliance on [[Pratt & Whitney]] PW1000G engines for the type.<ref name="aircurrent-a220">{{cite news |title=Customer consensus pushes Airbus toward shorter legs for A220 stretch |url=https://theaircurrent.com/aircraft-development/a220-500-stretch-short-range-scherer-airbus/ |work=The Air Current |date=2025-11-21 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>


==== Partnerships and Training Initiatives ====
The decisions surrounding the A220 stretch and engine selection were identified by industry analysts as among the key strategic questions facing Airbus's commercial aircraft leadership going forward.<ref name="leeham" />


Under Scherer's leadership, Airbus Commercial Aircraft also pursued partnerships to support the growth of its customer base, particularly in rapidly expanding aviation markets. In September 2025, Scherer participated in the launch of a pilot training hub in [[Gurugram]], India, established in partnership with [[Air India]]. The event was attended by India's Minister of Civil Aviation, Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu, as well as Air India's Managing Director and CEO, Campbell Wilson, reflecting the strategic importance of the Indian market to Airbus's growth plans.<ref name="avitrader-india">{{cite news |title=Air India and Airbus launch pilot training hub in Gurugram |url=https://avitrader.com/2025/09/30/air-india-and-airbus-launch-pilot-training-hub-in-gurugram/ |work=AviTrader Aviation News |date=2025-09-30 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
==== Customer Engagement and Training Initiatives ====
 
During his tenure, Scherer maintained an active role in Airbus's relationships with major airline customers worldwide. In September 2025, he participated in the launch of a pilot training hub in [[Gurugram]], [[India]], established in partnership with [[Air India]]. The event was attended by India's Minister of Civil Aviation Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu and Air India Managing Director and CEO Campbell Wilson, reflecting the strategic importance Airbus placed on the Indian market, one of the fastest-growing aviation markets in the world.<ref name="avitrader">{{cite news |title=Air India and Airbus launch pilot training hub in Gurugram |url=https://avitrader.com/2025/09/30/air-india-and-airbus-launch-pilot-training-hub-in-gurugram/ |work=AviTrader Aviation News |date=2025-09-30 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>


=== Succession and Departure ===
=== Succession and Departure ===


On 10 July 2025, Airbus announced that Lars Wagner, then CEO of [[MTU Aero Engines|MTU Aero Engines AG]], would succeed Scherer as CEO of the Commercial Aircraft business, effective 1 January 2026.<ref name="airbus-wagner" /> The announcement noted that Scherer would remain in his post until the end of 2025 to ensure a smooth transition.<ref name="abn-succession">{{cite news |title=MTU's Wagner to replace Scherer as Airbus commercial chief |url=https://www.aviationbusinessnews.com/industry-news/mtus-wagner-to-replace-scherer-as-airbus-commercial-chief/ |work=Aviation Business News |date=2025-07-18 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
On 10 July 2025, Airbus announced that Lars Wagner, then Chief Executive Officer of [[MTU Aero Engines]] AG based in [[Munich]], would succeed Christian Scherer as CEO of the Commercial Aircraft business, effective 1 January 2026.<ref name="airbus-wagner" /> The announcement was made through an official Airbus press release and was widely covered in the aviation and business press.<ref name="airdatanews" /><ref name="avbiznews">{{cite news |title=MTU's Wagner to replace Scherer as Airbus commercial chief |url=https://www.aviationbusinessnews.com/industry-news/mtus-wagner-to-replace-scherer-as-airbus-commercial-chief/ |work=Aviation Business News |date=2025-07-18 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>


The leadership change was covered by multiple industry outlets. ''Air Data News'' reported on the transition, noting the significance of the Commercial Aircraft division as Airbus's most important business unit.<ref name="adn-newceo">{{cite news |title=Airbus Announces New CEO of Commercial Aircraft |url=https://www.airdatanews.com/airbus-announces-new-ceo-of-commercial-aircraft/ |work=Air Data News |date=2025-07-11 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> The French business newspaper ''[[La Tribune (France)|La Tribune]]'' described the leadership change in dramatic terms, characterising it as a "coup de théâtre" — a sudden and unexpected development — as Airbus replaced the head of its commercial aircraft division.<ref name="latribune">{{cite news |title=Coup de théâtre: Airbus remplace le patron de sa branche avions commerciaux |url=https://www.latribune.fr/entreprises-finance/industrie/aeronautique-defense/coup-de-theatre-airbus-remplace-le-patron-de-sa-branche-avions-commerciaux-1010190.html |work=[[La Tribune (France)|La Tribune]] |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
''Aviation Business News'' reported that Scherer would remain in his post until the end of 2025, ensuring a period of continuity before the handover to Wagner.<ref name="avbiznews" /> The French business newspaper ''[[La Tribune (France)|La Tribune]]'' characterized the leadership change as a significant development — a "coup de théâtre" — at Airbus, reflecting the high profile of the Commercial Aircraft CEO role within the company and the broader industry.<ref name="latribune">{{cite news |title=Coup de théâtre : Airbus remplace le patron de sa branche avions commerciaux |url=https://www.latribune.fr/entreprises-finance/industrie/aeronautique-defense/coup-de-theatre-airbus-remplace-le-patron-de-sa-branche-avions-commerciaux-1010190.html |work=La Tribune |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>


''Leeham News and Analysis'', a specialist aviation publication, noted that the incoming CEO would face a number of significant challenges, including ongoing supply chain issues and strategic decisions regarding the A220 stretch and open fan engine technology.<ref name="leeham">{{cite news |title=Airbus gets new CEO for Commercial Aircraft; faces supply chain issues, decisions on A220 Stretch, Open Fan engine |url=https://leehamnews.com/2026/01/05/airbus-gets-new-ceo-for-commercial-aircraft-faces-supply-chain-issues-decisions-on-a220-stretch-open-fan-engine/ |work=Leeham News and Analysis |date=2026-01-05 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
''Leeham News and Analysis'' noted that the incoming CEO would face several major challenges, including ongoing supply chain issues, decisions on the A220 stretch programme, and considerations regarding open fan engine technology for future aircraft — issues that had been part of the landscape during Scherer's leadership.<ref name="leeham" />


== Personal Life ==
== Personal Life ==


Christian Scherer holds both German and French nationality.<ref name="airbus-governance" /> He was born in Duisburg, Germany, and has spent much of his professional career based in France, where Airbus has its corporate headquarters in [[Toulouse]]. Further details of his personal life, including information about his family, have not been widely documented in public sources.
Christian Scherer holds both German and French nationality.<ref name="airbus-bio" /> He was born in [[Duisburg]], [[Germany]], and has spent much of his career based in France, particularly in [[Toulouse]], the headquarters city of Airbus. Publicly available information about his personal life beyond his professional activities is limited. Scherer is known to be fluent in multiple languages, consistent with his binational background and the multilingual working environment of Airbus.
 
== Recognition ==
 
Scherer's career at Airbus placed him at the centre of some of the most significant developments in the global commercial aviation industry during the 2010s and 2020s. His appointment as CCO in 2018 was covered by major international financial and business publications, including ''The Wall Street Journal'' and Bloomberg News, reflecting the visibility and significance of the role within the aerospace industry.<ref name="wsj" /><ref name="bloomberg" /> As CEO of the Commercial Aircraft division, he represented Airbus at major international events including the [[Dubai Airshow]], where he made public statements regarding the company's product strategy that were reported by Reuters, Aviation Week, The Air Current, and other outlets.<ref name="aw-a350" /><ref name="reuters-a350" /><ref name="aircurrent-a220" />
 
His involvement in the Air India pilot training hub launch in Gurugram alongside India's Minister of Civil Aviation further illustrated his role as a senior representative of Airbus on the world stage.<ref name="avitrader-india" />


== Legacy ==
== Legacy ==


Christian Scherer's tenure as a senior executive at Airbus encompassed a period of intense competition with Boeing, record-setting order backlogs, and the operational challenge of ramping up aircraft production in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. As CCO and subsequently as CEO of the Commercial Aircraft division, he was responsible for managing and growing one of the largest commercial order books in aviation history.
Christian Scherer's career at Airbus spanned a period of significant transformation for the European manufacturer. His appointment as Chief Commercial Officer in 2018 came during a time of leadership instability, and his subsequent elevation to CEO of Commercial Aircraft placed him at the centre of the company's efforts to navigate post-pandemic recovery, manage unprecedented demand for new aircraft, and chart the future product strategy for the world's largest commercial aircraft manufacturer by deliveries.


His public statements regarding the potential A350 stretch and A220-500 development in late 2025 signalled strategic directions that his successor, Lars Wagner, would inherit and be expected to advance.<ref name="leeham" /> The characterisation of his departure by ''La Tribune'' as a "coup de théâtre" suggested that the leadership change was not universally anticipated and attracted significant attention within the French and European business press.<ref name="latribune" />
His public discussions of potential new aircraft variants — including a stretched A350 and an A220-500 — contributed to shaping industry expectations about Airbus's product roadmap during a period of intense competition with Boeing. The supply chain challenges that defined much of his tenure as CEO of Commercial Aircraft remained a central concern for his successor, underscoring the structural nature of those difficulties across the aerospace manufacturing sector.<ref name="leeham" />


Scherer's career trajectory — from roles at ATR and in the defence sector to the top of Airbus's commercial aircraft business — illustrated the value the company placed on cross-divisional experience and the breadth of knowledge required to lead a complex, multinational aerospace enterprise. His dual Franco-German background mirrored the binational foundation of Airbus itself, and his multilingual education at institutions in Canada and France reflected the international character of the aviation industry in which he spent his career.
The attention paid to his succession by industry publications and the characterization of his replacement as a major event by ''La Tribune'' reflected the significance of the role he occupied and the decisions made under his leadership.<ref name="latribune" />


== References ==
== References ==
<references />
<references />


[[Category:Business executives]]
[[Category:French people]]
[[Category:German people]]
[[Category:1962 births]]
[[Category:1962 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Business executives]]
[[Category:French people]]
[[Category:German businesspeople]]
[[Category:Airbus people]]
[[Category:Airbus people]]
[[Category:People from Duisburg]]
[[Category:University of Ottawa alumni]]
[[Category:University of Ottawa alumni]]
[[Category:ESCP Business School alumni]]
[[Category:ESCP Business School alumni]]
[[Category:French people of German descent]]
[[Category:People from Duisburg]]
[[Category:German aerospace businesspeople]]
[[Category:Aerospace businesspeople]]
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Latest revision as of 06:02, 24 February 2026



Christian Scherer
BornTemplate:Birth year and age
BirthplaceDuisburg, Germany
NationalityGerman, French
OccupationBusiness executive
EmployerAirbus
Known forFormer Chief Executive Officer of Airbus Commercial Aircraft
EducationUniversity of Ottawa
École Supérieure de Commerce de Paris

Christian Scherer (born 1962) is a German-French business executive who served as the Chief Executive Officer of the Commercial Aircraft business at Airbus, the European aerospace manufacturer's largest and most strategically important division. Over the course of a career spanning several decades in the aerospace and defence industries, Scherer held a succession of senior leadership roles at Airbus, including Chief Commercial Officer, before ascending to lead the company's commercial aircraft operations. His tenure at the helm of Commercial Aircraft was marked by continued development of the Airbus product line, engagement with global airline customers, and efforts to address persistent supply chain challenges. In July 2025, Airbus announced that Scherer would be succeeded as CEO of Commercial Aircraft by Lars Wagner, effective 1 January 2026, concluding a period of significant activity in product strategy and customer relations.[1]

Early Life

Christian Scherer was born in 1962 in Duisburg, a city in the Ruhr area of western Germany.[2] Holding both German and French nationality, Scherer's binational background would prove characteristic of his later career at Airbus, a company whose corporate identity is itself rooted in European cross-border cooperation between France, Germany, Spain, and the United Kingdom. Details of his upbringing and family background prior to his university education have not been widely documented in public sources.

Education

Scherer pursued higher education at two institutions in different countries, reflecting his dual Franco-German heritage. He studied at the University of Ottawa in Canada and at the École Supérieure de Commerce de Paris (ESCP), one of the oldest and most prominent business schools in France.[2] The ESCP, founded in 1819, is a leading European business school with campuses across the continent. Scherer's educational background in business provided a foundation for his subsequent career in international aerospace management and commercial strategy.

Career

Early Career at Airbus and MBDA

Christian Scherer built a lengthy career within the European aerospace and defence sector. Before assuming the most prominent roles for which he became known at Airbus, Scherer held leadership positions across the broader Airbus group and its related entities. Notably, he served in a senior capacity at MBDA, a European multinational developer and manufacturer of missiles, which is jointly owned by Airbus, BAE Systems, and Leonardo. His experience at MBDA and within the wider Airbus defence and space operations gave him broad exposure to both the commercial and military dimensions of the aerospace business.[2]

Appointment as Chief Commercial Officer

In September 2018, Airbus announced the appointment of Christian Scherer as its Chief Commercial Officer (CCO), the executive responsible for overseeing the company's global sales campaigns, marketing, and customer relations for its commercial aircraft portfolio.[3] The appointment came during a period of considerable leadership turbulence at Airbus. Scherer replaced Eric Schulz, who had held the CCO position for less than a year before departing the company.[4]

The leadership change at the CCO level was noted by industry observers as part of a broader pattern of senior executive turnover at Airbus during that period. Schulz's departure added complexity to what Aviation Week described as a series of leadership changes at the top of the manufacturer.[5] The Wall Street Journal reported on the appointment as part of ongoing turbulence in Airbus's senior ranks, characterizing the naming of a new sales chief as a significant move during a period of internal restructuring.[6]

As CCO, Scherer was responsible for leading Airbus's commercial sales efforts at a time of intense competition with rival Boeing across the full spectrum of single-aisle and widebody aircraft markets. The role placed him at the forefront of Airbus's engagement with airlines, lessors, and governments around the world, and involved overseeing order campaigns at major industry events such as the Paris Air Show, Farnborough Airshow, and Dubai Airshow.

CEO of Airbus Commercial Aircraft

Christian Scherer was subsequently elevated to the position of Chief Executive Officer of Airbus's Commercial Aircraft division, the company's core business unit responsible for the design, manufacture, and delivery of the entire Airbus civil aircraft family, including the A220, A320neo family, A330neo, and A350 programmes. The Commercial Aircraft division constitutes the majority of Airbus's revenue and is the most closely watched part of the company by investors, customers, and industry analysts.[7]

In this role, Scherer oversaw a period of significant activity across the Airbus product line. A recurring theme of his tenure was the challenge of managing the company's industrial ramp-up — the effort to increase production rates of its most popular aircraft, particularly the A320neo family — in the face of persistent supply chain disruptions that affected the entire aerospace manufacturing sector in the years following the COVID-19 pandemic. Engine deliveries, raw material availability, and supplier capacity were among the factors constraining Airbus's ability to meet strong customer demand.[8]

A350 Product Strategy

One of the most prominent strategic discussions during Scherer's time as CEO of Commercial Aircraft concerned the potential development of a stretched variant of the A350-1000, the largest member of the A350 widebody family. In November 2025, Scherer publicly confirmed that Airbus was studying a potential larger version of the A350 and said the company was seeing customer interest "everywhere" in such an aircraft.[9][10]

The discussion of a stretched A350 was strategically significant because it positioned Airbus to compete more directly with the upper end of Boeing's widebody portfolio, particularly the Boeing 777X, and potentially to fill a market segment left open by the retirement of the Airbus A380. Aviation Week reported that Scherer indicated Airbus could build such an aircraft, reflecting confidence in the A350 platform's growth potential.[10] Reuters described the study as part of Airbus's broader effort to ensure its product line covered the full range of airline requirements.[9]

A220 Stretch Discussions

Scherer was also involved in discussions regarding a potential stretch of the Airbus A220, the smaller narrowbody programme that Airbus acquired majority control of from Bombardier. At the November 2025 Dubai Airshow, Scherer addressed the A220 stretch programme, noting the emerging customer consensus around the aircraft's design parameters. The Air Current reported that Scherer commented on engine supplier considerations, stating, "So far we have a Pratt engine, I'd love to have another one," indicating interest in securing a second engine option for the A220 family — a significant strategic consideration given the historical reliance on Pratt & Whitney PW1000G engines for the type.[11]

The decisions surrounding the A220 stretch and engine selection were identified by industry analysts as among the key strategic questions facing Airbus's commercial aircraft leadership going forward.[8]

Customer Engagement and Training Initiatives

During his tenure, Scherer maintained an active role in Airbus's relationships with major airline customers worldwide. In September 2025, he participated in the launch of a pilot training hub in Gurugram, India, established in partnership with Air India. The event was attended by India's Minister of Civil Aviation Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu and Air India Managing Director and CEO Campbell Wilson, reflecting the strategic importance Airbus placed on the Indian market, one of the fastest-growing aviation markets in the world.[12]

Succession and Departure

On 10 July 2025, Airbus announced that Lars Wagner, then Chief Executive Officer of MTU Aero Engines AG based in Munich, would succeed Christian Scherer as CEO of the Commercial Aircraft business, effective 1 January 2026.[1] The announcement was made through an official Airbus press release and was widely covered in the aviation and business press.[7][13]

Aviation Business News reported that Scherer would remain in his post until the end of 2025, ensuring a period of continuity before the handover to Wagner.[13] The French business newspaper La Tribune characterized the leadership change as a significant development — a "coup de théâtre" — at Airbus, reflecting the high profile of the Commercial Aircraft CEO role within the company and the broader industry.[14]

Leeham News and Analysis noted that the incoming CEO would face several major challenges, including ongoing supply chain issues, decisions on the A220 stretch programme, and considerations regarding open fan engine technology for future aircraft — issues that had been part of the landscape during Scherer's leadership.[8]

Personal Life

Christian Scherer holds both German and French nationality.[2] He was born in Duisburg, Germany, and has spent much of his career based in France, particularly in Toulouse, the headquarters city of Airbus. Publicly available information about his personal life beyond his professional activities is limited. Scherer is known to be fluent in multiple languages, consistent with his binational background and the multilingual working environment of Airbus.

Legacy

Christian Scherer's career at Airbus spanned a period of significant transformation for the European manufacturer. His appointment as Chief Commercial Officer in 2018 came during a time of leadership instability, and his subsequent elevation to CEO of Commercial Aircraft placed him at the centre of the company's efforts to navigate post-pandemic recovery, manage unprecedented demand for new aircraft, and chart the future product strategy for the world's largest commercial aircraft manufacturer by deliveries.

His public discussions of potential new aircraft variants — including a stretched A350 and an A220-500 — contributed to shaping industry expectations about Airbus's product roadmap during a period of intense competition with Boeing. The supply chain challenges that defined much of his tenure as CEO of Commercial Aircraft remained a central concern for his successor, underscoring the structural nature of those difficulties across the aerospace manufacturing sector.[8]

The attention paid to his succession by industry publications and the characterization of his replacement as a major event by La Tribune reflected the significance of the role he occupied and the decisions made under his leadership.[14]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Lars Wagner to become CEO of Airbus' Commercial Aircraft business on 1 January 2026".Airbus.2025-07-10.https://www.airbus.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/2025-07-lars-wagner-to-become-ceo-of-airbus-commercial-aircraft-business-on.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 "Christian Scherer".Airbus.https://www.airbus.com/en/about-us/our-governance/christian-scherer.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  3. ↑ "Christian Scherer appointed Airbus Chief Commercial Officer".Airbus.2018-09-13.https://www.airbus.com/newsroom/press-releases/en/2018/09/christian-scherer-appointed-airbus-chief-commercial-officer.html.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  4. ↑ "Airbus Said to Replace Sales Head After Less Than a Year on Job".Bloomberg News.2018-09-13.https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-09-13/airbus-said-to-replace-sales-head-after-less-than-a-year-on-job.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  5. ↑ "Schulz Departure Adds to Complex Airbus Leadership Turnover".Aviation Week.http://aviationweek.com/commercial-aviation/schulz-departure-adds-complex-airbus-leadership-turnover.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  6. ↑ "Airbus Names New Sales Chief Amid Turbulence in Senior Ranks".The Wall Street Journal.2018-09-13.https://www.wsj.com/articles/airbus-names-new-sales-chief-amid-turbulence-in-senior-ranks-1536855456.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 "Airbus Announces New CEO of Commercial Aircraft".Air Data News.2025-07-11.https://www.airdatanews.com/airbus-announces-new-ceo-of-commercial-aircraft/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 "Airbus gets new CEO for Commercial Aircraft; faces supply chain issues, decisions on A220 Stretch, Open Fan engine".Leeham News and Analysis.2026-01-05.https://leehamnews.com/2026/01/05/airbus-gets-new-ceo-for-commercial-aircraft-faces-supply-chain-issues-decisions-on-a220-stretch-open-fan-engine/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 "Airbus says it's studying potential larger version of A350".Reuters.2025-11-17.https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/airbus-says-studying-potential-larger-version-a350-2025-11-17/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 "Scherer Says Airbus Sees Interest 'Everywhere' In Stretched A350".Aviation Week.2025-11-19.https://aviationweek.com/air-transport/aircraft-propulsion/scherer-says-airbus-sees-interest-everywhere-stretched-a350.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  11. ↑ "Customer consensus pushes Airbus toward shorter legs for A220 stretch".The Air Current.2025-11-21.https://theaircurrent.com/aircraft-development/a220-500-stretch-short-range-scherer-airbus/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  12. ↑ "Air India and Airbus launch pilot training hub in Gurugram".AviTrader Aviation News.2025-09-30.https://avitrader.com/2025/09/30/air-india-and-airbus-launch-pilot-training-hub-in-gurugram/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 "MTU's Wagner to replace Scherer as Airbus commercial chief".Aviation Business News.2025-07-18.https://www.aviationbusinessnews.com/industry-news/mtus-wagner-to-replace-scherer-as-airbus-commercial-chief/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 "Coup de théâtre : Airbus remplace le patron de sa branche avions commerciaux".La Tribune.https://www.latribune.fr/entreprises-finance/industrie/aeronautique-defense/coup-de-theatre-airbus-remplace-le-patron-de-sa-branche-avions-commerciaux-1010190.html.Retrieved 2026-02-24.

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