Matthieu Louvot to take over as CEO of Airbus Helicopters

Airbus has appointed Matthieu Louvot as chief executive officer of Airbus Helicopters, marking a leadership change at the world’s largest helicopter manufacturer as it enters its next phase of growth.

The appointment will take effect on 1 April 2026, the company said on Tuesday. Louvot, currently Airbus’s executive vice-president for strategy, will report to group chief executive Guillaume Faury and join the executive committee.

Louvot will succeed Bruno Even, who has decided to leave Airbus after eight years at the helm of the helicopters division to pursue new professional and personal interests, the company said.

Guillaume Faury credited Even with expanding the division’s product portfolio, transforming its industrial set-up and placing the business on a more sustainable and profitable footing during a challenging period for the aerospace sector, according to the company statement.

Faury said Louvot’s deep experience in the helicopter business and familiarity with the division’s operational and strategic priorities would ensure continuity. He added that the transition comes at a time when Airbus Helicopters is focused on maintaining profitability while investing in next-generation platforms and services.

Louvot joined Airbus Helicopters in 2010 after a career in the French civil service, including a stint as an industry adviser at the French presidency. Within Airbus, he has held senior roles spanning customer support and services as well as programmes, before moving to the group-level strategy position.

A graduate of École Polytechnique and École Nationale d’Administration, Louvot is regarded internally as a close lieutenant of Faury, with broad exposure to Airbus’s portfolio and long-term planning, people familiar with the group have said.

Airbus said a successor to Louvot in the executive vice-president for strategy role will be announced at a later date.

The leadership change comes as Airbus Helicopters seeks to balance strong demand in defence and public services with softer conditions in parts of the civil market, while advancing work on decarbonisation and digitalisation. Investors and customers will be watching closely to see how Louvot steers the division amid shifting geopolitical and industrial priorities.