Louis Gallois, the co-chief executive of aerospace group EADS, was summoned today to head Airbus as well, tightening the parent company's control over its floundering planemaker.
Gallois, who will replace Christian Streiff as Airbus chief, was only appointed to his post at the European Aeronautic Defence and Space company in July after Airbus announced new delays to its flagship A380 superjumbo programme.
He has considerable experience in the aeronautics business as well as a lengthy public service career with the French state-run rail system SNCF and in various government ministries.
He will now be expected to revitalize production at Airbus and his task will be a tough one.
The July revelation of further dealys in the Airbus A380 programme, coupled with a profit warning, sent the EADS shareprice into a tailspin and prompted a management shakeup at both EADS and Airbus.
Gallois replaced Noel Forgeard as EADS co-chief executive, joining German Thomas Enders. At Airbus, Streiff took over from Gustav Humbert.
The latest upheaval was sparked by news last week that deliveries of the A380, a critical component for Airbus in its rivalry with Boeing, will be delayed a further 10 months, meaning that the overall programme is now nearly two years behind schedule.
