Airbus has inaugurated its new regional headquarters in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, a significant move to strengthen its presence in the Middle East. The company has appointed Eid Al Qahtani, an experienced leader with over 20 years in the aerospace sector, as President of the Riyadh office. Al Qahtani, who has previously worked with Airbus Helicopters, will play a key role in driving the company’s growth in the region.
Leadership with Experience
Al Qahtani’s leadership experience is expected to boost Airbus’ strategic ambitions in Saudi Arabia, which is a crucial market for the company. He expressed his enthusiasm for the new role, saying, “I am honored to be leading Airbus from our new Riyadh Headquarters and look forward to further consolidating Airbus’ presence in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.” His appointment aligns with Saudi Arabia’s broader Vision 2030 goals, which aim to diversify the economy and establish the country as a global aviation hub.
A Strong Workforce in Saudi Arabia
Currently, Airbus employs over 350 people in Saudi Arabia, with 30% of them being Saudi nationals. The company is committed to supporting the Kingdom’s long-term aviation goals, including the launch of Riyadh Air and significant investments in the aviation sector, expected to reach up to $100 billion.
Supporting Saudi Vision 2030
The opening of Airbus’ new headquarters underscores the growing importance of partnerships between Saudi Arabia and international aerospace companies. In January 2024, Airbus signed an Industrial Participation (IP) agreement with Saudi Arabia’s General Authority for Military Industries (GAMI), supporting the Kingdom’s efforts to strengthen its industrial ecosystem and contribute to Vision 2030’s diversification strategy.
With this new regional base, Airbus aims to inspire the next generation of leaders in the Saudi aerospace sector while continuing to support the Kingdom’s ambitious goals in aviation and beyond.