The current chief executive of MTU Aero Engines Lars Wagner will become CEO of Airbus' commercial aircraft business from the start of 2026, the French aircraft assembler said on July 10, 2025.
Wagner will join Airbus from the beginning of November 2025 to “ensure a smooth transition” as he succeeds Airbus Commercial Aircraft CEO Christian Scherer. Scherer will remain CEO of the business until December 31, 2025, before Wagner assumes his role in the new year.
This will mark the end of Scherer's over 40 years in several executive roles with Airbus.
Wagner has held the position of CEO at MTU since January 2023. Prior to this, and since joining MTU in 2015, he assumed the roles of chief operating officer and EVP in OEM operations. He has previously held management positions at Airbus.
MTU disclosed on the same day that Johannes Bussmann will take over as CEO of the company on September 1, 2025. Additionally, he will join the company's executive board on July 15, 2025. Wagner will step down from the executive board on August 31, 2025. He will support the transition in an advisory role until he leaves the company on October 31, 2025.
Both Wagner and Bussman's appointments had previously been disclosed, though today's announcements now setting out the timeline.