Graduate from "École Polytechnique" (promotion 1972) and "École nationale de l'aviation civile" (promotion 1975), Michel Wachenheim starts his career in 1977 at the air traffic department. In 2007, he becomes Chief of Staff of the Ministry of Transport Dominique Bussereau. The 1st of September 2009, he becomes French ambassador and permanent representative of France at the International Civil Aviation Organization.