Airbus has announced that its Chief of Procurement, Juergen Westermeier, will assume leadership of the company’s operations in India and South Asia, effective 1 September. The internal appointment was communicated via a company memo reviewed by Reuters. A successor for the procurement role has yet to be named, with the memo stating that the position remains “subject to further notice.” Airbus has declined to comment publicly on the internal reshuffle.
The leadership transition comes amid ongoing challenges for the European aerospace giant as it continues to grapple with persistent supply chain disruptions. These issues, rooted in labour shortages and reduced industrial capacity following the COVID-19 pandemic, have hampered the company’s ability to maintain consistent production and delivery schedules.
Recent performance indicators underscore the pressure Airbus is facing. Aircraft deliveries in May fell by 4 per cent compared to the previous month, contributing to a year-to-date decline of 5 per cent. Airbus has set an ambitious target of delivering 820 aircraft by the end of 2025, representing a 7 per cent increase over previous figures. Achieving this will require a significant ramp-up in output over the coming months.
Analyst Rob Morris, Head of Consultancy at Cirium Ascend, noted via LinkedIn that production of Airbus’s A320neo family trailed Boeing’s 737 MAX in May for the first time since August 2019, based on the number of first flights. Airbus did not comment on monthly production figures but has attributed recent shortfalls to ongoing weaknesses in key parts of the supply chain, particularly involving engine components and aerostructures.
Westermeier’s reassignment marks the second high-level change in Airbus’s engineering and industrial leadership in recent weeks. Earlier, Sabine Klauke, the group’s Chief Technology Officer, was reassigned to focus on digital design and manufacturing transformation efforts.
During his tenure as procurement chief, Westermeier was known for a firm stance on supplier quality and stock management. In 2021, a letter reported by Reuters revealed that he had urged suppliers to hold more inventory and improve performance standards. More recently, he spearheaded an initiative aimed at unifying standards across the supply network. While some suppliers have called for fresh approaches to encourage readiness for increased production, a source familiar with the matter said Westermeier’s transition is unrelated to current supply chain challenges, which are reportedly beginning to stabilise.
Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury commended Westermeier’s contributions in the internal communication. Westermeier will replace Remi Maillard, who was recently appointed Head of Technology as Airbus explores future development paths for the successor to its best-selling A320neo aircraft.
