In a move that signals Airbus’s deeper push into the Indian and South Asian markets, the aerospace giant has named Jurgen Westermeier as its new president and managing director for the region. Currently heading global procurement at Airbus, the 53-year-old executive will take charge on September 1, Airbus announced in a press release.
Taking over from Rémi Maillard, Westermeier steps in with the mandate to steer Airbus operations across all verticals, from commercial jets to defense, space, and helicopters. Beyond just leading sales, his role will focus on scaling up Airbus’ presence in the region and pushing forward its localization efforts under the “Make in India” banner, which has become a key pillar of the company’s long-term strategy.
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“In his new role, Jurgen will spearhead Airbus’ business in India and South Asia, across Commercial Aircraft, Defense and Space, and Helicopters. He will be responsible for commercial aircraft sales and for expanding the company’s footprint in the region, which includes services, engineering, digital, innovation and training.” The release further stated, “Jurgen will also help advance Airbus’ commitment to ‘Make in India’ by supporting the company’s campaigns aligned to this vision.”
Meanwhile, Maillard transitions to a global position as executive vice president of Engineering for Commercial Aircraft and Head of Technology at Airbus. His appointment comes at a time when India remains a critical focus for the company, given its growing demand in both commercial aviation and defense sectors where Airbus already holds a strong foothold.
Jurgen joined Airbus in 2020 as Chief Procurement Officer, where he was responsible for overseeing the company’s sourcing strategies across all divisions. Over the years, he worked closely with suppliers and helped tighten Airbus’ procurement systems, making them more streamlined and better connected across the board.
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Meanwhile, Airbus has been steadily strengthening its presence in India and South Asia, not just as a seller of aircraft, but as a serious long-term player in the region. In India, its role goes beyond business deals. From working with commercial airlines and the defense sector to actively supporting government-driven initiatives, the company has built a strong foundation. It’s also invested heavily in the local ecosystem, partnering with Indian suppliers, training pilots, expanding engineering teams, and setting up infrastructure for aircraft maintenance and repair.
Airbus has been a firm supporter of the “Make in India” push, with a significant part of its global supply chain now linked to Indian operations. In the wider South Asian region too, Airbus continues to play a key role in improving connectivity and meeting the growing demand for both civil and military aviation. The focus is clear that this region is not just on the radar, it is central to the company’s future plans.
Additionally, the company shared its Q2 results on July 31, revealing that it delivered 306 commercial aircraft in the first half of 2025. That’s a drop from the 323 planes it had handed over during the same period last year.