Eric Chen is the new Airbus China president

Airbus, a leading aircraft manufacturer, has appointed Eric Chen as the new President of Airbus China and Rafael Gonzalez-Ripoll-Garzon as Chief Operating Officer with immediate effect.

Airbus said Chen will be responsible for Airbus' overall activities in the People's Republic of China, including business development, commercial activities, customer services and industrial cooperation.

It said Chen, previously Airbus China senior vice-president (commercial and external affairs), succeeds Laurence Barron, who has now taken over as the chief executive officer and chairman of EADS China.

Previously, Ripoll-Garzon was Head of the Centre of Excellence Empennage/Aft Fuselage of Airbus in Spain.

As one of the pioneers who worked for Airbus China, Chen has witnessed the successful development of Airbus business, especially the expansion of its in-service fleet from six per cent in 1994 to about 50 per cent today for aircraft over 100 seats.

"I feel much more the challenge than the honour in the job of the president of Airbus China," says Chen.

"China is one of the fastest-growing aviation markets in the world. My predecessor Laurence Barron and the entire Airbus China team have laid a solid foundation for the further development of Airbus in China and I will continue to lead Airbus’ development in China to new highs," he added.