Balkiz Sarihan leads Airbus’ Urban & Advanced Air Mobility (UAM) programme, with a focus on developing the market, industry, business and service ecosystem to build advanced air mobility solutions. Airbus is shaping the future of AAM/UAM with its vehicle CityAirbus NextGen as well as investments in key technologies as part of its decarbonisation roadmap.
Sarihan combines elements from her diverse roles in aircraft programmes, operations, business and strategy in both North America and Europe, with the ability to translate vision into a shared path of execution. She has a successful track record of creating and leading ventures from concept to delivery and execution. These include classic businesses such as aircraft leasing and digital platform ecosystems to build the next generation advanced medical systems.
Prior to joining Airbus Helicopters in 2015, she spent nearly eight years leading business development, operations and commercial activities at Vector Aerospace in Canada.
Sarihan holds an MBA from Simon Fraser University and a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of British Columbia, Canada.
