Airbus is preparing to migrate its sensitive digital systems from Google’s cloud services to a European sovereign cloud, citing concerns over U.S. jurisdiction and data sovereignty. The decision coincides with a class‑action lawsuit in the United States that accuses Google of privacy violations linked to its AI assistant, Gemini—allegations that Google has denied.
The European aerospace giant plans to issue a tender for a major contract, valued at more than €50 million, to move its mission‑critical workloads to a European cloud provider. This shift is intended to keep highly confidential industrial information under European control. Catherine Jestin, Airbus’s executive vice‑president of digital, stressed that a sovereign cloud is essential for protecting extremely sensitive data from both national and European perspectives.
Currently using Google Workspace, Airbus will transfer key on‑premises systems—including production, business‑management, and aircraft‑design data—to the new platform. The company estimates an 80 % likelihood of finding a European provider that satisfies its technical and legal requirements. The tender is slated to launch in early January, with a decision expected before summer.
The move is significant for Airbus, the world’s leading aircraft manufacturer, which has topped the global aircraft‑order rankings for six consecutive years. However, the company acknowledges that U.S. rival Boeing is poised to overtake it this year, a shift CEO Guillaume Faury attributes to Boeing’s political backing during trade negotiations and major aircraft purchases.
Airbus’s migration underscores the growing importance of data sovereignty and security for multinational corporations. As reliance on cloud services expands, companies must navigate complex jurisdictional issues to safeguard sensitive information. The outcome of Airbus’s tender and its transition to a European cloud provider will be closely watched for their potential impact on the global aerospace industry.
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