Airbus CEO ready to resign
Ibrahim Sani
October 16, 2017 17:00 MYT
October 16, 2017 17:00 MYT
Enders during a press conference in Munich, Germany, on Feb 27, 2017. - dpa via BERNAMA
As Airbus currently deals with a host of corruption investigations, including one which the aircraft maker had self-reported on using middlemen selling their aircraft, its CEO Tom Enders said he is willing to step aside if his involvement in the company is "no longer part of the solution."
During an interview with German newspaper Handelsblatt, Enders said: "You can be assured that once I am no longer part of the solution, and I hope I would realise myself when that is, I will draw the consequences [and step down]. But for now, I don't think we're at this point."
The interview in Munich was observed by Astro AWANI.
At the same time, a source from an aviation observer in Munich said the investigation is a unique one, since the whistle-blower was from Airbus itself. While the source commended the firm on its self-regulation practices, the events leading to the investigation by Britain's Serious Fraud Office (SFO) into Airbus could bring major changes into how the firm will do things, particularly managing sales in the future.
Meanwhile, in Toulouse, France, Airbus executives have repeated their confidence in Enders. The Airbus board has also issued a statement last week saying they had full confidence in their CEO.
Enders took leadership of Airbus in 2012. Under his management, the firm has grown significantly in Asia-Pacific, and most notably in Malaysia where this market is the third largest market for the aircraft maker after China and India.
AIRBUS TAKES FULL CONTROL OF MALAYSIAN COMPANY
Airbus last week announced they took 100 percent ownership of the maintenance, repair and operations (MRO) company, Sepang Aircraft Engineering (SAE), to better manage their MRO businesses in Malaysia and the Southeast Asian region.
Among key SAE clients include AirAsia Berhad and AirAsia X Berhad.
Apart from SAE, Airbus Customer Services already has a strong footprint in the region, particularly in Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia.
In Singapore, Airbus Customer Services Asia Pacific base includes: FHS-TSP; Flight Ops Support; the Airbus Asia Training Centre (AATC) joint venture with Singapore Airlines; HMS Services MRO joint venture with SIAEC, and the regional Service Centre for Airbus spare parts subsidiary Satair Group.
Meanwhile in Bangkok, Thailand, Airbus hosts Asia Pacific Airbus Flight Operation Services.
In Malaysia, customers benefit from the Airbus Malaysia Customer Services for Engineering Support, FHS Customer Order Desk and FHS Supplier Management – located in Kuala Lumpur.