Airbus has opened its new regional headquarters in Riyadh, marking a significant step in strengthening its presence in the Middle East. This new office will serve as a strategic hub for Airbus’ operations in the region, with a particular focus on enhancing its partnerships and business opportunities across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.
To lead this new venture, Airbus has appointed Eid Al Qahtani as the President of the Riyadh headquarters. Al Qahtani brings over 20 years of leadership experience in the aviation industry, with a strong background in operations and business development. Prior to his appointment, he served as the Head of Operations for Airbus Helicopters in Riyadh, where he demonstrated his leadership skills and played a key role in expanding Airbus’ footprint in the region.
Al Qahtani’s extensive experience in the aviation and aerospace sectors is expected to be instrumental in driving Airbus’ growth in the Middle East. With the region being a key market for aircraft sales, maintenance, and support services, Airbus is optimistic that Al Qahtani’s leadership will help strengthen the company’s relationships with both existing and potential clients, including airlines, governments, and defense entities.
In his new role, Al Qahtani will be responsible for overseeing Airbus’ operations across the MENA region, with a focus on increasing market share, fostering innovation, and driving new business initiatives. The appointment underscores Airbus’ commitment to deepening its engagement with local markets and supporting the region’s growing demand for both commercial and defense aviation solutions.
Al Qahtani commented on his new role, expressing his excitement about leading Airbus’ regional operations in Riyadh. He highlighted the importance of the Middle East as a key market for Airbus and the company’s vision to further expand its operations and partnerships in the region. Al Qahtani emphasized the importance of local collaboration and innovation in meeting the region’s aviation needs, particularly in terms of fleet modernization, sustainability, and defense capabilities.
The opening of the new regional headquarters comes at a time when the Middle East is seeing significant growth in aviation and aerospace activities, driven by increasing demand for air travel, regional economic development, and advancements in military and defense technologies. Airbus is aiming to tap into this growth by offering a range of products and services, including commercial aircraft, helicopters, and defense systems, while contributing to the region’s efforts to enhance aviation infrastructure and capabilities.
The MENA region remains a key focus for Airbus, with airlines in countries like Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and others continuing to expand their fleets to meet the increasing demand for air travel. The company has already made significant inroads in the region, with its aircraft being a preferred choice for many regional carriers. The new headquarters in Riyadh will enable Airbus to better serve these customers while also exploring new business opportunities in the defense and aerospace sectors.
The opening of Airbus’ new regional headquarters in Riyadh is part of the company’s broader strategy to enhance its presence in strategic markets around the world. By strengthening its regional operations, Airbus aims to build stronger relationships with key stakeholders, contribute to the local economy, and support the growth of the aviation industry in the Middle East. Under Al Qahtani’s leadership, Airbus is poised to capitalize on the opportunities presented by the dynamic and fast-growing aviation market in the MENA region.