European aircraft maker Airbus on Wednesday named French businessman Stephane Ginoux to head its Japanese operations. The France-based firm, part of European aerospace corporation EADS, said in a statement that Ginoux would succeed American Glen Fukushima as chief executive officer at the next board meeting, before the summer. Fukushima will be appointed chairman of Airbus Japan, the statement said, typically an honorary non-executive position in corporate Japan.
The pair will "pursue our goal of convincing airlines in Japan that they really have a choice: our modern, eco-efficient Airbus aircraft and all the benefits they offer," Airbus CEO Tom Enders said in the statement. Airbus has less than five percent market share in Japan, compared with what it says is around half in other markets world-wide. Since Fukushima became head of Airbus in Japan in 2005, the company has sold only eight aircraft there, including three leasing contracts, a spokesman said.
Ginoux's appointment "will further strengthen our ties with Japan's aviation industry," the statement added. Ginoux, 42, who has 18 years of experience working in Japan, will also continue to head Eurocopter Japan, another EADS affiliate, in charge of selling civil and military range helicopters. Airbus is up against US rival Boeing which has dominated the Japanese market for more than half a century. Main carriers Japan Airlines and All Nippon Airways generally commission Boeing for their fleets.
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