ZeroAvia names Christine Ourmieres-Widener as permanent CEO
Hydrogen propulsion developer ZeroAvia has appointed board chair Christine Ourmieres-Widener as chief executive, filling the post left vacant since founder Val Miftakhov departed in May.
ZeroAvia has confirmed Christine Ourmieres-Widener as its permanent chief executive. The UK-based hydrogen-electric propulsion developer had her running the company on an interim basis since founder Val Miftakhov left in late May, while the board searched for a long-term successor.
Ourmieres-Widener joined ZeroAvia's board as a director in February 2021 and became executive chair in November 2025. She is an aeronautical engineer by training and previously led TAP Air Portugal, Flybe and CityJet.
The leadership change comes as ZeroAvia works through a difficult stretch. The company has cut its workforce significantly this year and narrowed its technical ambitions. Its larger ZA600 powertrain has been pushed back to the 2030s. Near-term efforts are now centered on the smaller 200kW ZA200 system, which pairs third-party electric motors with fuel cells supplied by PowerCell.
In a statement, Ourmieres-Widener said she intends to guide the company through its next stage as it works to bring products to market and continue developing the underlying technology.
No further detail was given on timing for certification or commercial deployment of the ZA200 system.
Sources
- flightglobal.comZeroAvia picks ex-TAP chief Ourmieres-Widener for vacant CEO post