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Airbus Appoints Lars Wagner as Commercial Aircraft CEO Amid Production Challenges

Leadership transition at Airbus Commercial Aircraft sees MTU’s production expert Lars Wagner replace retiring Christian Scherer to address supply chain and output hurdles.

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Leadership Transition at Airbus Commercial Aircraft: Lars Wagner Succeeds Christian Scherer Amid Production Challenges

Airbus SE has announced a significant leadership transition in its commercial aircraft division, with Lars Wagner appointed to succeed Christian Scherer as CEO effective January 1, 2026. Wagner, currently CEO of MTU Aero Engines, will join Airbus in November 2025 to facilitate a smooth transition. This change concludes Scherer’s four-decade tenure at Airbus, occurring as the company navigates persistent supply chain disruptions, production ramp-up challenges, and intensified competition in the global aerospace market.

The leadership shift signals Airbus’s strategic focus on leveraging Wagner’s production expertise to stabilize manufacturing operations and achieve ambitious delivery targets. With a backlog of thousands of aircraft and increasing pressure to scale output, Airbus’s decision reflects a pivot toward operational discipline and industrial efficiency.

Background of Airbus Commercial Aircraft Leadership

Airbus’s commercial aircraft division is the cornerstone of the European aerospace giant, contributing €50.6 billion in revenue in 2024. The division encompasses a broad product range, including the A320neo, A330neo, A350, and A220 families. As of the end of 2024, Airbus held an order backlog of 8,658 aircraft, underscoring the critical importance of leadership in this sector.

Christian Scherer took over as CEO of the Commercial Aircraft division in January 2024 after serving as the company’s Chief Commercial Officer. His appointment came at a time when Airbus was grappling with post-pandemic supply chain constraints and ambitious production goals. Scherer’s leadership followed a career at Airbus that began in 1984 and included roles such as CEO of ATR and Head of Strategy and Future Programmes.

The decision to initiate a leadership transition was announced in November 2024. The Airbus board simultaneously proposed the renewal of Guillaume Faury as Group CEO, signaling continuity at the corporate level while introducing new leadership in the commercial aircraft segment. The move was widely interpreted as a response to the need for stronger industrial execution capabilities.

The Appointment of Lars Wagner

Lars Wagner, currently CEO of MTU Aero Engines, will assume the role of CEO of Airbus Commercial Aircraft on January 1, 2026. He is set to join Airbus in November 2025 to ensure a smooth handover from Christian Scherer. Wagner previously worked at Airbus between 2003 and 2015, holding various management roles in Bremen, Hamburg, and Toulouse.

At MTU, Wagner demonstrated strong leadership, especially in 2024, when the company achieved record revenue and earnings. MTU posted €7.5 billion in revenue and over €1 billion in adjusted EBIT. Wagner’s background in mechanical and aeronautical engineering, combined with an MBA, positions him well to address complex industrial challenges.

Industry experts view Wagner as a production-focused leader. His experience in engine manufacturing and OEM operations is seen as a strategic asset for Airbus, particularly as the company works to ramp up production of its A320neo and A350 programs. Aviation Week described Wagner as someone with “hands-on manufacturing expertise”, a quality Airbus urgently needs.

“Airbus doesn’t need anymore somebody whose background and real skills are in sales… It really needs a production guy who thinks about problems from the inside out.”, Sash Tusa, Aviation Week Network

Christian Scherer’s Legacy

Christian Scherer’s departure marks the end of a 41-year career at Airbus. He began in 1984 and rose through the ranks to hold several key leadership positions. Among his notable achievements was the launch of the A320neo program, which has become one of the most successful commercial aircraft families in history.

As CEO of the Commercial Aircraft division, Scherer oversaw the delivery of 766 aircraft in 2024. This figure, while an improvement over 2023’s 735, fell short of the company’s target of 800. His tenure also saw the first deliveries of the A321XLR and A350-900 to key customers like Iberia and Emirates.

Scherer’s leadership was marked by resilience amid supply chain challenges. Despite setbacks, he maintained Airbus’s market momentum and played a crucial role in stabilizing the company post-pandemic. His endorsement of Wagner as his successor underscores the trust Airbus places in its incoming leadership.

Operational Challenges at Airbus

Airbus continues to face significant operational hurdles, particularly in its supply chain. In 2024, the company delivered 766 aircraft, missing its 800-unit target. Shortages in cabin equipment, engines, and aerostructures have been cited as key bottlenecks. The A320neo program, for example, has struggled to increase production beyond 50 aircraft per month, far below the 75-per-month goal initially set for 2026.

The company’s widebody programs have also encountered delays. The A220 program delivered only 75 aircraft in 2024 against a target of 98, while the A350 saw a decline from 64 deliveries in 2023 to 57 in 2024. Airbus has responded by planning the acquisition of Spirit AeroSystems’ Airbus-related facilities to stabilize its supply chain.

Despite these challenges, Airbus reported €50.6 billion in revenue for its commercial aircraft division in 2024. However, adjusted EBIT fell to €5.1 billion due to inefficiencies and increased investment in supply chain stabilization. Free cash flow before customer financing remained strong at €4.5 billion, providing financial flexibility for future initiatives.

Industry Reactions and Strategic Implications

Wagner’s appointment has been met with cautious optimism across the aerospace industry. Analysts agree that Airbus’s immediate priority is resolving internal production issues rather than competing with Boeing, which has faced its own set of challenges. With a backlog of over 8,600 aircraft, Airbus has significant market share but must improve its execution to maintain its lead.

The leadership change is also seen as timely, given Airbus’s development of next-generation aircraft. Wagner’s experience in engine manufacturing is expected to be valuable as Airbus explores new propulsion technologies and airframe designs. His background could also benefit Airbus’s defense initiatives, such as the A400M program.

Airlines and lessors are watching the transition closely. Delays in aircraft deliveries affect fleet planning and financial performance. Wagner’s success in stabilizing production will have ripple effects across the global aviation ecosystem, influencing everything from airline schedules to supplier contracts.

Conclusion

The transition from Christian Scherer to Lars Wagner marks a pivotal moment for Airbus Commercial Aircraft. Wagner’s engineering background and proven leadership at MTU Aero Engines align with Airbus’s current needs. His appointment reflects a broader strategic shift toward operational excellence and production stability.

As Airbus continues to navigate supply chain disruptions and ramp-up challenges, Wagner’s leadership could prove instrumental in achieving long-term growth. The coming years will test his ability to translate expertise into execution, ensuring Airbus remains a global leader in commercial aviation.

FAQ

Who is Lars Wagner?
Lars Wagner is the current CEO of MTU Aero Engines and will become CEO of Airbus Commercial Aircraft on January 1, 2026.

Why is Christian Scherer stepping down?
Christian Scherer is retiring after a 41-year career at Airbus, including a brief tenure as CEO of the Commercial Aircraft division.

What challenges is Airbus facing?
Airbus is dealing with supply chain disruptions, production delays, and difficulty scaling up output to meet high demand.

Sources:
Airbus,
Aviation Week,
FlightGlobal,
Reuters,
Bloomberg

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Commercial Aviation

Port Authority 2027 Budget Funds JFK Terminal 1 and AirTrain Newark

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey proposed a $10.3 billion 2027 budget, with $4 billion in capital spending for JFK, Newark and more.

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Port Authority 2027 Budget Funds JFK Terminal 1 and AirTrain Newark
Photo: Port Authority of New York and New Jersey

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey has proposed a $10.3 billion budget for 2027 that includes $4 billion in capital spending, with funding to complete the first phase of the new Terminal 1 at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and to keep building a new AirTrain Newark at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR).

The bistate agency unveiled the proposal in a press release dated November 11, 2026. The budget consists of $4.5 billion for operating expenses, $4 billion for annual capital spending, $1.7 billion for debt service and $0.1 billion in deferred expenses. The Board of Commissioners plans to seek adoption at its meeting on December 17, 2026, after a public comment period that runs until December 15, 2026.

What the 2027 budget funds at the airports

At JFK, the proposed capital funding covers the ongoing redevelopment, including completion of the first phase of the new Terminal 1 and a new ground transportation center, according to the release. At Newark Liberty, construction of the new AirTrain Newark continues. The agency describes it as a wholly new system, designed to meet increasing passenger demand, that will replace an aging system past its useful life.

Planning and design work continues for a new Terminal B at Newark Liberty and for the Terminal A gate expansion. The budget also covers the first year of operation of a new entry point to the Newark Liberty International Airport Train Station, served by AirTrain Newark, Amtrak and NJ TRANSIT, which the agency says will expand transit and airport access for historically underserved areas of Newark and Elizabeth. At LaGuardia Airport (LGA), mass transit access improvements continue.

Port Authority Executive Director Kathryn Garcia said:

“From building a new Midtown Bus Terminal to transforming JFK and Newark airports, we are delivering the modern transportation infrastructure that supports the growth and development of this region.”

Chairman Kevin O’Toole said the proposal gives equal weight to two priorities: advancing what he called generational transformations of the transportation network, and investing in state-of-good-repair projects for legacy facilities in both states.

Where the airport programs stand

The 2027 proposal follows the $45 billion 2026-2035 capital plan, which the agency proposed in November 2025. In that plan, the Port Authority said it was in the midst of a more than $50 billion wholesale remaking of its three major airports, anchored by public-private partnerships with airline and development partners.

At JFK, the capital plan listed the $4.2 billion Terminal 6 and the $9.5 billion New Terminal One as the anchor projects of the redevelopment, with more than $15 billion of the $19 billion program privately financed. The plan said the first gates of the new international terminals 1 and 6 were scheduled to open in 2026, and it called for a transformation of AirTrain JFK with new train cars to double capacity. In the November 11, 2026 release, the agency said the two new JFK terminals are approaching completion and will open to passengers soon.

At Newark Liberty, the capital plan put the new AirTrain Newark at $3.5 billion and provided funding to set up a public-private partnership to design and build the new Terminal B. It also proposed funding for a third major taxiway to reduce flight delays and a new, simplified roadway network. The $2.7 billion Terminal A opened under the previous 2017-2025 capital plan.

At LaGuardia, where $8 billion was invested through public-private partnerships at Terminal B and Terminal C under the previous plan, the capital plan calls for replacing the 85-year-old Terminal A while respecting the landmark status of its rotunda. The 2027 budget release notes that LaGuardia was named the nation’s best airport by the Forbes Travel Guide for a third year in a row.

Fares, security and the rest of the budget

Under policies adopted by the Board of Commissioners in 2008, 2011 and 2019, automatic inflation-based adjustments to bridge and tunnel tolls and to AirTrain fares are scheduled to take effect in 2027, according to the release. Separately, the PATH single-ride fare will rise by 25 cents to $3.50 on January 3, 2027, under the previously approved capital plan.

The proposed operating budget of $4.5 billion is a 5.7 percent increase over the 2026 operating expense budget, after new assets and other priorities are included. It allocates more than $1.1 billion to security, which the agency calls its largest-ever allocation, including new technology to address cybersecurity threats, and funds 120 new cadets for the Port Authority Police Department (PAPD) ahead of upcoming retirements.

The operating budget also includes nearly $1 billion for maintenance, among it an incremental $25 million for major repairs to address the impact of extreme weather on legacy facilities. Outside the airports, capital funding goes to the replacement of the Port Authority Bus Terminal with a new Midtown Bus Terminal, the Restoring the George program at the George Washington Bridge, PATH track and railcar work, and the Port Street Corridor Improvement project at Port Newark. The agency projects 121 million vehicles at its bridges and tunnels, 67 million PATH riders and 9 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) at the seaport in 2027.

A year earlier, the agency’s proposed 2026 budget totaled $10.1 billion, including $4.1 billion in capital funding, and projected a record of more than 148 million passengers at its airports in 2026. The Port Authority is self-funded and receives no revenue from New York state, New Jersey or New York City; about 65 percent of its revenues come from sources other than tolls and fares, such as lease payments and third-party fees.

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Boeing 787 Passes 1.3 Billion Passengers in 15 Years of Service

Boeing says the 787 has carried more than 1.3 billion passengers and enabled more than 550 new nonstop routes since entering service in 2011.

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Boeing 787 Passes 1.3 Billion Passengers in 15 Years of Service
Photo: Boeing

The Boeing 787 Dreamliner has carried more than 1.3 billion passengers since entering service on October 26, 2011, and has enabled airlines to open more than 550 nonstop routes between city pairs that were never previously served, Boeing said in an article marking 15 years of 787 service. Operators quoted by Boeing said the airplane has changed how they build their networks.

The article, published on Boeing News Now on November 12, 2026, says the 787 has more than 2,450 orders from 91 customers, many of whom marked the airplane’s 15th anniversary at this year’s 787 Fleet Team Conference in Huntington Beach, California. Boeing describes the 787 as the world’s bestselling passenger widebody in history.

Where the 787 flies

According to Boeing, the global 787 fleet connects more than 530 destinations. Its longest nonstop routes include London to Perth at 7,829 nautical miles, Dallas to Melbourne at 7,811 nautical miles and Auckland to New York at 7,670 nautical miles. Boeing says that in 2025 the 787 flew 28% of all long-haul routes, which it defines as 4,000 to 8,000 nautical miles, and that the type is also used on high-frequency, high-demand routes across Asia.

What operators told Boeing

Jordan Becroft, senior fleet engineering manager for Jetstar Airways, said the technology designed into the airplane was so advanced at the time that, 15 years later, “you feel like you’re dealing with new technology.” He said the 787 “has fundamentally changed what’s possible” by enabling Jetstar to operate long-haul international routes as a low-cost carrier.

All Nippon Airways (ANA), the launch customer, began 787 service on October 26, 2011, with a specially chartered flight from Narita Airport in Tokyo to Hong Kong. Shinchiro Ohya, ANA’s director and 787 fleet chief, said the airplane “has completely reshaped ANA’s global network,” and that its range and efficiency are used to open direct routes to midsize markets that were not profitable before.

Boeing’s view of the next phase

John Sims, Boeing’s 787 fleet chief, said the airplane was set up for multiple generations of service. He said the 787 continues to deliver fuel efficiency at a time when fuel prices remain a major concern, while helping operators open new routes and expand their capabilities.

John Murphy, the 787 chief project engineer, said customers have always had a big voice in the program. He noted that the 787 now has more than 90 customers, ranging from operators with a few airplanes to airlines such as United and ANA with more than 90, and that their perspectives are very diverse.

Boeing’s article does not give current delivery or backlog figures for the 787, or a breakdown of the 2,450 orders by model.

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UK High Court Orders A380 Startup Global Airlines Ltd Wound Up

The High Court made a winding-up order against Global Airlines Ltd on November 4, 2026, and appointed the Official Receiver as liquidator.

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UK High Court Orders A380 Startup Global Airlines Ltd Wound Up
Photo: Global Airlines

The High Court of Justice in London made a winding-up order against Global Airlines Ltd on November 4, 2026, and appointed the Official Receiver as liquidator the same day, according to a notice published in The London Gazette on November 12, 2026. The order follows a petition presented on May 29, 2026.

Global Airlines Ltd, company number 13508008, is registered in London. The website of Global Airlines, the Airbus A380 startup, names James Asquith as founder and CEO and refers to Global Airlines Ltd, and Companies House lists James Edward Asquith as a director of the company since its incorporation on July 13, 2021.

What the court notices show

The Gazette notice of November 12, 2026, filed under Corporate Insolvency as a winding-up order, lists the case as No 004213 of 2026 in the High Court of Justice, with the petition filed on May 29, 2026. It names the Official Receiver, V Prime, as liquidator, with a Birmingham address.

An earlier Gazette notice, published on June 18, 2026, set out the petition. It was presented under the Insolvency Act 1986 in the Insolvency and Companies List of the Business and Property Courts of England and Wales, by a petitioner based in the United States who, according to the notice, claims to be a creditor of the company. The hearing was first listed for July 15, 2026, at the Rolls Buildings in London. The notices do not state the amount claimed.

What a winding-up order means

Under UK government guidance, the court issues a winding-up order if it decides a company cannot pay its debts. An officer of the court, the official receiver, is then put in charge of winding up the company, and directors must cooperate with the official receiver. The guidance says the company’s bank account will usually be frozen and that the official receiver sells the company’s assets or property.

The company and its A380

Companies House records Global Airlines Ltd as a private limited company registered at First Floor, 3 St. Michael’s Alley, London, with a nature of business listed as agents involved in the sale of machinery, industrial equipment, ships and aircraft. Its officer list shows three active directors, two of them appointed on May 5, 2026, and four resignations. When AirPro News checked on November 13, 2026, the Companies House overview still showed the company’s status as active.

The Global Airlines website describes an airline founded in 2021 to “take passengers back to the Golden Age of Travel,” with the A380 at the center of the business. It names 9H-GLOBL as its first fully acquired A380 and says the aircraft has carried paying passengers and crossed the Atlantic multiple times. The site says 9H-GLOBL is heading to Tarbes to park after maintenance in Dresden. AirPro News has previously covered the startup’s plans to bring the A380 back for premium travel.

The website did not mention the winding-up order when AirPro News read it on November 13, 2026, and no statement from the company on the order was found.

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