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• Dominic Perry
ZeroAvia has named board chair Christine Ourmières-Widener chief executive, succeeding founder Val Miftakhov, who left the hydrogen propulsion developer in May. The appointment puts a former airline chief at the helm as ZeroAvia advances its hydrogen-electric aviation strategy and commercial development plans.
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ZeroAvia has named board chair Christine Ourmières-Widener chief executive, succeeding founder Val Miftakhov, who left the hydrogen propulsion developer in May. The appointment puts a former airline chief at the helm as ZeroAvia advances its hydrogen-electric aviation strategy and commercial development plans.
Klaus-Michael Kühne, the honorary chairman and majority shareholder of Kuehne+Nagel who built the company into a global logistics provider, has died at 89. He was also Lufthansa Group’s largest individual shareholder and a prominent, sometimes critical, influence on the airline group.
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Brian Rohloff will succeed Ron Draper as Textron Aviation president and CEO on Aug. 31, 2026. Draper, who has led the Cessna and Beechcraft maker for eight years and spent more than 27 years at Textron, will remain through year-end to support the transition as Textron pursues a pure-play aerospace and defense structure.
Oman’s two major airlines, Oman Air and SalamAir, have appointed new chief executives. The leadership changes affect both of the country’s principal carriers and could shape their respective operational, commercial and fleet strategies as Oman’s aviation sector evolves.
Space Norway CEO Morten Tengs will leave the company at the end of August, prompting a search for a permanent successor. Rune Jensen will serve as acting CEO during the transition, placing continuity of leadership at the center of the company’s near-term management agenda.
Phantom Space has named Worth Wray chief operating officer, assigning him responsibility for day-to-day operations, efficiency, capital formation and business-process expansion. The appointment comes as the company works to increase production and establish a more consistent launch cadence.
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Oman Air will replace Con Korfiatis with Nasser Al Sharji as chief executive on Sept. 1, 2026, while SalamAir appoints Yaqoob bin Saif bin Hamoud Al Kiyumi from Oct. 1. The changes affect both of Oman’s state-linked carriers as SalamAir continues its growth strategy.
L3Harris removed CEO Chris Kubasik after an investigation into his conduct with a subordinate, while reporting indicates another employee had raised a harassment complaint about his behavior years earlier. The disclosures add scrutiny to leadership oversight and workplace conduct at the defense contractor.
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Hype's Leadership section provides a curated selection of news and in-depth analysis on the trailblazers and decision-makers in the aviation, defense, and space industries. This collection includes detailed coverage of leadership changes, executive appointments, and the strategic directions set by the industry's top figures, offering a clear view of the personalities driving aerospace innovation and corporate dynamics.
