# ZeroAvia founder Val Miftakhov steps down as CEO; executive chair runs the company during search

Canonical page: https://technooptimist.io/stories/zeroavia-founder-val-miftakhov-steps-down-as-ceo-executive-chair-runs-17a88d55
Date: 29 May 2026
About: [ZeroAvia](https://technooptimist.io/companies/zeroavia.md)
Original source: https://www.airdatanews.com/zero-avia-founder-steps-down-after-turbulent-year-for-hydrogen-aviation-startup/

Val Miftakhov, who founded ZeroAvia in 2017, left the CEO role on 26 May 2026 and stays on the board. Executive chair Christine Ourmieres-Widener is running day-to-day operations while the board searches for a permanent CEO.

## Key facts

- Follows workforce cuts of about half in the US and UK.
- Target unchanged: certify the ZA600 fuel cell system in 2027, the full system later depending on funding.

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