French President Emmanuel Macron visits the Airbus pavilion during the 55th edition of the International Paris Air Show at Le Bourget Airport, near Paris, in June 2025. EPA
French President Emmanuel Macron visits the Airbus pavilion during the 55th edition of the International Paris Air Show at Le Bourget Airport, near Paris, in June 2025. EPA
French President Emmanuel Macron visits the Airbus pavilion during the 55th edition of the International Paris Air Show at Le Bourget Airport, near Paris, in June 2025. EPA
French President Emmanuel Macron visits the Airbus pavilion during the 55th edition of the International Paris Air Show at Le Bourget Airport, near Paris, in June 2025. EPA

Lars Wagner to become Airbus chief of commercial aircraft unit from January 2026


Deena Kamel
  • English
  • Arabic

Airbus said Lars Wagner will become the chief of its commercial aircraft business starting from January 1, 2026, at a time when the company is focused on resolving supply-chain bottlenecks and increasing production.

The chief executive of engine parts maker MTU Aero Engines will replace 40-year Airbus veteran Christian Scherer.

Mr Wagner will join Airbus from the beginning of November this year to “ensure a smooth transition” with Mr Scherer, Airbus said on Thursday.

Mr Scherer will remain the chief of the commercial aircraft unit until December 31, topping a career spanning more than 40 years in several executive roles with Airbus, the company said.

Mr Wagner, 50, has held the position of chief executive of Munich-based MTU Aero Engines since January 2023.

Before his appointment as chief executive, and since joining MTU in 2015, Mr Wagner took on the roles of chief operating officer and executive vice president in charge of manufacturing operations.

He held a number of management positions at Airbus including in Bremen, Hamburg and Toulouse. Mr Wagner rejoins the company after working there from December 2003 to June 2015, according to his LinkedIn profile. He holds a degree in mechanical and aeronautical engineering as well as an MBA.

The decision to replace Mr Scherer, 62, is guided by succession planning, Guillaume Faury, Airbus chief executive, said in a media call in October 2024, according to Bloomberg.

The European plane maker in June delivered 63 aircraft and recorded 203 gross orders, which included some of the commitments it won at the Paris Air Show last month. Year-to-date deliveries until June reached 306 handovers to 65 customers.

Airbus is struggling to reach its production targets as it struggles with engine shortages and other supplier bottlenecks.

The European manufacturer also faces uncertainty as US tariffs are set to hit the EU bloc's exports as soon as August 1.

Meanwhile its US arch-rival Boeing delivered 60 aircraft in June, its best level in 18 months, putting it level with Airbus. Boeing's June delivery performance reflects improvements in its factories and resuming of US aircraft exports to China.

In the year to June, Boeing delivered 280 commercial planes and in the second quarter delivered 150 aircraft, it said in a July 8 statement.

2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups

Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.

Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.

Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.

Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, (Leon banned).

Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.

Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.

Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.

Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.

Closing the loophole on sugary drinks

As The National reported last year, non-fizzy sugared drinks were not covered when the original tax was introduced in 2017. Sports drinks sold in supermarkets were found to contain, on average, 20 grams of sugar per 500ml bottle.

The non-fizzy drink AriZona Iced Tea contains 65 grams of sugar – about 16 teaspoons – per 680ml can. The average can costs about Dh6, which would rise to Dh9.

Drinks such as Starbucks Bottled Mocha Frappuccino contain 31g of sugar in 270ml, while Nescafe Mocha in a can contains 15.6g of sugar in a 240ml can.

Flavoured water, long-life fruit juice concentrates, pre-packaged sweetened coffee drinks fall under the ‘sweetened drink’ category
 

Not taxed:

Freshly squeezed fruit juices, ground coffee beans, tea leaves and pre-prepared flavoured milkshakes do not come under the ‘sweetened drink’ band.

Specs

Engine: 51.5kW electric motor

Range: 400km

Power: 134bhp

Torque: 175Nm

Price: From Dh98,800

Available: Now

MATCH INFO

Uefa Nations League

League A, Group 4
Spain v England, 10.45pm (UAE)

MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – FINAL RECKONING

Director: Christopher McQuarrie

Starring: Tom Cruise, Hayley Atwell, Simon Pegg

Rating: 4/5

COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Airev
Started: September 2023
Founder: Muhammad Khalid
Based: Abu Dhabi
Sector: Generative AI
Initial investment: Undisclosed
Investment stage: Series A
Investors: Core42
Current number of staff: 47
 
Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
  • Premier League-standard football pitch
  • 400m Olympic running track
  • NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
  • 600-seat auditorium
  • Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
  • An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
  • Specialist robotics and science laboratories
  • AR and VR-enabled learning centres
  • Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
NO OTHER LAND

Director: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham, Rachel Szor, Hamdan Ballal

Stars: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham

Rating: 3.5/5

The%20specs
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dual%20synchronous%20electric%20motors%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E660hp%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E1%2C100Nm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESingle-speed%20automatic%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETouring%20range%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E488km-560km%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh850%2C000%20(estimate)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EOctober%3C%2Fp%3E%0A

If you go:
The flights: Etihad, Emirates, British Airways and Virgin all fly from the UAE to London from Dh2,700 return, including taxes
The tours: The Tour for Muggles usually runs several times a day, lasts about two-and-a-half hours and costs £14 (Dh67)
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is on now at the Palace Theatre. Tickets need booking significantly in advance
Entrance to the Harry Potter exhibition at the House of MinaLima is free
The hotel: The grand, 1909-built Strand Palace Hotel is in a handy location near the Theatre District and several of the key Harry Potter filming and inspiration sites. The family rooms are spacious, with sofa beds that can accommodate children, and wooden shutters that keep out the light at night. Rooms cost from £170 (Dh808).

ELIO

Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett

Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina

Rating: 4/5

Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
  • Priority access to new homes from participating developers
  • Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
  • Flexible payment plans from developers
  • Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
  • DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Tips to stay safe during hot weather
  • Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can increase dehydration.
  • Seek cool environments: Use air conditioning, fans, or visit community spaces with climate control.
  • Limit outdoor activities: Avoid strenuous activity during peak heat. If outside, seek shade and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
  • Dress appropriately: Wear lightweight, loose and light-coloured clothing to facilitate heat loss.
  • Check on vulnerable people: Regularly check in on elderly neighbours, young children and those with health conditions.
  • Home adaptations: Use blinds or curtains to block sunlight, avoid using ovens or stoves, and ventilate living spaces during cooler hours.
  • Recognise heat illness: Learn the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke (dizziness, confusion, rapid pulse, nausea), and seek medical attention if symptoms occur.
While you're here
Company profile

Company: Rent Your Wardrobe 

Date started: May 2021 

Founder: Mamta Arora 

Based: Dubai 

Sector: Clothes rental subscription 

Stage: Bootstrapped, self-funded 

Updated: July 10, 2025, 5:02 PM`