Michel Wachenheim is an engineer graduated of Ecole Polytechnique (Paris) and of the National Civil Aviation School (Toulouse). He worked in air traffic services, airports, air transport economics and managed transportation projects (air, sea, rail, road) with the French development bank (AFD).

He was Director General of Civil Aviation (2002-2007), then Chief of staff of the French Minister of Transports (2007-2009) and Ambassador, Representative of France to ICAO Council (2009-2013). he chaired the 38th ICAO Assembly in 2013.

In 2014 he became Senior Adviser to the Airbus CEO, and is today Vice-Chair of Air and Space Academy.