Airbus boss Humbert resigns after A380 delays
Gustav Humbert has quit as president and chief executive officer of Airbus, with immediate effect, following delays to production and delivery schedule of the A380 super-jumbo. He has also resigned from the executive committee of Airbus’ joint owner EADS.
“The recently announced delay on the A380 production and delivery program has been a major disappointment for our customers, our shareholders and our employees. As president and CEO of Airbus, I must take responsibility for this setback and feel the right course of action is to offer my resignation to our shareholders,” Humbert said.
Humbert joined Airbus’ predecessor Messerschmitt-Bolkow-Blohm in 1980 before his appointment as Airbus’ chief operating officer in 2000. He became CEO June 2005.
“The time has come to give way to a new management team able to restore the company’s image quickly and to lead Airbus into the future. A new leadership can only be formed with a new chairman, president and CEO. The new management must then be empowered to drive forward those issues which we have started to address over the last 12 months — Airbus’ renewed customer focus, its product and internationalization strategy and the urgent need for change in key industrial processes,” he said.
Airbus boss Humbert resigns after A380 delays