Airbus names Julie Kitcher EVP Communications and Corporate Affairs

Airbus (stock exchange symbol: AIR) has appointed Julie Kitcher as Executive Vice-President Communications and Corporate Affairs, effective immediately. In this role, she joins the Airbus Executive Committee leading all external and internal communication activities, reporting to Guillaume Faury, Airbus Chief Executive Officer (CEO). 

In her new role, Julie will steer and co-ordinate the transformation agenda of Airbus and manage Audit, Performance Management, Responsibility and Sustainability and Environmental Affairs, in addition to her position as the Chief of Staff to the CEO.

Previously, Julie was Head of Investor Relations and Financial Communication at Airbus, a role she held since May 2015.

“Julie brings the right mindset, skills and background to lead Airbus’ global communication activities and further strengthen the Company’s brand and reputation worldwide,” said Guillaume Faury, Airbus CEO. “As Head of Investor Relations and Financial Communication, she proved her ability to build trust within the financial community and deliver clear and timely information to the markets. In her new role, she will coordinate the Company’s transformation efforts to help shape the story of Airbus as we open the next chapter in our journey.”

In her Head of Communications role, Julie Kitcher will take over from Rainer Ohler, who is leaving Airbus after 24 years in the Company, including more than 13 successful years as Head of Communications.

“I’m excited to be appointed in this new role at such an important moment in the history of Airbus,” said Julie Kitcher. “I feel honoured to have the opportunity to lead a world class Communications and Corporate Affairs team that – within the functions I have been entrusted to lead – will boost the dialogue with employees and stakeholders across the globe as well as help shape and transform the Airbus of the future.”

Julie joined Airbus in December 2000 as a Financial Analyst in Airbus in the UK and has held a number of roles within Finance since. She is a Chartered Management Accountant (CIMA) with an MSc in Accounting, ESC Skema (Lille).

Republic of Korea Air Force receives first Airbus A330 MRTT

Busan, 30 January 2019 – The Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) has taken delivery of its first Airbus A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) aircraft.

The new-generation A330 MRTT extends the endurance and range of the ROKAF’s fighter aircraft, and provides the service with strategic transport capability for passengers and freight.

In South Korean service the A330 MRTT will be powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 700 engines, be equipped with the Airbus Refuelling Boom System, and can be configured in a variety of layouts to carry passengers and freight or for medevac purposes.

South Korea becomes the seventh member of the worldwide family of A330 MRTT operators and is one of 12 nations to have ordered the aircraft. This latest delivery brings the total in-service fleet to 35.

Fernando Alonso, Executive Vice President, Airbus, said: “The A330 MRTT has clearly established itself as the world’s premier tanker and strategic transport aircraft, and has been widely praised by the current operators. It will be a critical asset of the ROKAF and leading air forces worldwide for many decades.”

El avión de pasajeros A220 obtiene la aprobación ETOPS (operaciones con tiempo de desvío extendido) de 180 minutos por parte de Transport Canada.

El último modelo en sumarse a la familia de aviones comerciales de Airbus, el A220, ha recibido la aprobación de la autoridad de aviación civil canadiense, Transport Canada, para una extensión de sus operaciones (ETOPS*) de hasta 180 minutos.

Esta autorización allana el camino para que los clientes del A220 puedan empezar a ofrecer nuevas rutas directas sin limitación, a través de grandes extensiones marítimas y a regiones remotas o con enlaces escasos.

“Este logro ETOPS del A220 es un hito más que se añade a las numerosas capacidades de rendimiento que ya de por sí ofrece la insuperable familia de aviones A220”, Florent Massou, Head of Airbus’ A220 Programme (líder del programa Airbus A220).

“Como es el único avión en producción de su clase capaz de realizar aproximaciones cortas en pequeños aeropuertos “difíciles” y operaciones de largo alcance, definitivamente el A220 está creando oportunidades de nuevas rutas para las aerolíneas”, Rob Dewar, Head of Engineering and Customer Support, A220 Programme (líder de Ingeniería y Atención al Cliente del programa A220).

El A220 es el primer avión comercial en obtener una certificación ETOPS nacional de Transport Canada. Esta capacidad se ofrece como opción a los operadores del A220-100 y A220-300, ya que poseer la misma les permite extender el vuelo en 180 minutos hasta el aeropuerto de desvío más cercano.

El A220 es el único avión fabricado expresamente para el mercado de 100-150 plazas, con una eficiencia insuperable en consumo de combustible y el excelente confort de su amplia cabina (de pasillo único), combina una aerodinámica de vanguardia, materiales de construcción avanzados y los últimos motores PW1500G Geared Turbofan de Pratt & Whitney para ofrecer, como mínimo, un consumo por pasajero un 20% inferior al de aviones de generaciones anteriores. Además tiene una autonomía de hasta 3.200 nm (5.920 km), de manera que ofrece el rendimiento de aviones de un solo pasillo más grandes.

Con una cartera de pedidos de más de 537 aviones hasta la fecha, el A220 reúne en definitiva todo lo necesario para acaparar la mayor parte del mercado de aviones de 100 a 150 plazas.

¿Qué es ETOPS?

ETOPS (Extended-range Twin engine Operation Performance Standards) es un conjunto de normas introducidas inicialmente por la Organización de Aviación Civil Internacional (OACI) a mediados de los años 80 para permitir operaciones comerciales con aviones bimotor en rutas de más de 60 minutos de vuelo desde el aeropuerto más cercano, anteriormente sólo estaban permitidas a los aviones de más de dos motores. Estas normas, denominadas ahora “EDTO” (Extended Diversion Time Operations, operaciones con tiempo de desvío extendido) por la OACI, se han ido revisando progresivamente para permitir operaciones de desvío de hasta 180 minutos o incluso más.

Jean-Marc Nasr appointed President Asia-Pacific, Airbus

Singapore, 14 January 2019 – Airbus has appointed Mr Jean-Marc Nasr as President Asia-Pacific, effective 1 January 2019.

Based in Singapore, Jean-Marc Nasr will be responsible for Airbus’ overall strategy, industrial footprint and operations in the region, as well as for advancing the company’s “One Roof” policy to integrate its various business entities in key markets. The area led by Jean-Marc Nasr covers the whole Asia-Pacific region.

In addition, Jean-Marc Nasr is concurrently nominated as Head of Regional Sales Asia-Pacific, including China and India, for Airbus Defence and Space. In this role, he will be responsible for sales of the company’s complete range of defence and space products in this area.

Jean-Marc Nasr was until the end of December Head of Regional Sales for the Middle East, Africa, France and the UK for Airbus Defence and Space. He joined the division (then EADS Defence and Security) in 2005 and has previously held key management positions leading the secure networks, integrated systems and cyber security businesses.

Born in 1961, he began his career with Aérospatiale in 1986 and has an engineering degree from France’s Ecole Supérieure d'Electricité and a PhD in Physics from the University of Paris.

“Jean-Marc has successfully led a diverse range of businesses within the Airbus organisation,” said Patrick de Castelbajac, Airbus Executive Vice President Strategy and International. “His proven management skills, commercial track record and international experience make Jean-Marc the right choice to build further our presence in one of most important regions for all areas of our business. We wish him every success.”

Jean-Marc Nasr succeeds Mr Pierre Jaffre, who has led Airbus in the region for the past 18 years. Pierre Jaffre will remain with the company until October 2019 to ensure a smooth transition with his successor.

Patrick de Castelbajac added: “We thank Pierre for his excellent contribution and dedication over the years he spent at Airbus and wish him all the best for his future endeavours.”