Paris, June 2026
Simaero announces the appointment of Mr. Alexandre de Juniac as Chairman of the Board, marking a new chapter in the Group's governance and long-term development. A member of Simaero's Board since 2022, Mr. de Juniac succeeds the Group's founder, Eric Renault.
Alexandre de Juniac brings nearly three decades of leadership across the aviation, aerospace and public sectors. A graduate of École Polytechnique and the École Nationale d'Administration (ENA), he began his career at the French Conseil d'État before holding senior government roles, including as Director of Cabinet to the Minister of the Economy. He then spent fourteen years at Thales (formerly Thomson-CSF), the French aerospace, defense and transportation group, where he held a succession of executive positions, ultimately overseeing operations across Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Latin America.
He went on to lead Air France as Chairman and CEO from 2011, and then Air France-KLM from 2013 to 2016, directing the group's restructuring and return to profitability. From 2016 to 2021, he served as Director General and CEO of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), representing the world's airlines through a period of major transformation. He has since held board and advisory positions across the mobility and transportation sectors, including at Riyadh Air and Europcar Mobility Group.
Eric Renault, founder of Simaero, led the company as CEO until 2018 and has since remained closely involved as Chairman of the Board. He retires after decades of commitment to the Group. From Simaero's beginnings in Dinard, France, to its development into the international pilot training group it is today, Eric has played a central role in shaping Simaero's entrepreneurial culture, operational expertise, and global ambition.
This transition reflects Simaero's entry into a new era, with a strengthened governance structure and a clear ambition to continue expanding its position as a global pilot training provider.
“On behalf of Simaero, I would like to express our deepest gratitude to Eric Renault for his vision, dedication, and decisive contribution to the company’s journey. Eric built Simaero with passion and determination, and his legacy will remain an essential part of who we are. We are also very pleased to welcome Alexandre de Juniac as Chairman of the Board. His outstanding aviation experience, strategic perspective, and international leadership will be invaluable as Simaero enters this new stage of growth and transformation,” says Nicolas Mouté, CEO of Simaero.
“Having served on Simaero’s Board, I have seen firsthand the strength of what the Group has built and the caliber of its teams. Pilot training sits at the heart of an industry I have known throughout my career, and I am honored to take on the role of Chairman at such a promising stage in Simaero’s development. I look forward to working alongside the Board, Nicolas and the management team to support the Group’s next phase of growth,” concludes Alexandre de Juniac, Chairman of the Board of Simaero.
Simaero is a world-leading provider of pilot training on full-flight simulators and simulation engineering solutions. In global aviation, change is a constant. We promise to be a straightforward and continual presence in the complex training requirements of international airlines and pilots. With five training centres strategically located in France (headquarters), South Africa, China and India, Simaero trains over 5,000 pilots every year from 250+ civil and military carriers and 80+ countries. Our simulator fleet and training solutions cover the main commercial aircraft types, including Airbus, Boeing, ATR, and Embraer.
©Simaero Holding. 26 avenue de la demi-lune, 95700 Roissy-en-France, France
