The European Union Aviation Safety Agency has appointed Florian Guillermet as its executive director.
Guillermet takes up his position this month after being selected by the EASA Management Board on December 13, 2023.
Guillermet moves to EASA directly from France’s air navigation service provider Direction des Services de la Navigation Aérienne (DSNA), where he served as director of air navigation services since June 2021, heading up the 7,000-person organization.
Guillermet brings 26 years of leadership experience to the role, including top level management posts in France and in EU aviation organizations.
Guillermet said, “My ambition is to take EASA to the next level, making it a modern organization fit for the digital age, while ensuring the highest standards of civil aviation safety and environmental protection are met across the entire aviation ecosystem.
“While the Agency’s core role is as a regulator, I want to build strong relationships with stakeholders, in Europe and globally, to ensure all air travel is safe for every EU citizen.
“I look forward to channeling the undoubted expertise of EASA’s staff to achieving these goals in a positive and inclusive multicultural working environment.”
Guillermet succeeds Luc Tytgat, who had led the Agency as acting executive director for the last seven months, following the departure of Patrick Ky at the expiry of his 10-year mandate. Tytgat will remain with the Agency in a senior leadership role until August, supporting Guillermet through the transition period.
Guillermet was executive director at the EU’s SESAR Joint Undertaking (SESAR-JU), leading the delivery of performance improvements in ATM safety, capacity, efficiency, and its environmental impact. He has also held various positions at Eurocontrol and worked in various aviation roles in France.
Guillermet studied engineering, including applied mathematics, computer science, and business administration at the École Polytechnique in Paris and has a master’s in Air Transport Management and Aeronautics from the French National School for Aviation (ENAC). He also studied at the University of California (UCLA) in Los Angeles.