New Delhi, Aug 2026 : Air India has appointed former Ethiopian Airlines Group chief executive Tewolde Gebremariam as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Managing Director, ushering in a new leadership chapter as the Tata Group-owned carrier seeks to accelerate its transformation into a globally competitive airline. The appointment comes at a crucial time for Air India as it works to strengthen operations, expand its international footprint and reinforce passenger confidence. Gebremariam succeeds Campbell Wilson, who took charge of the airline in 2022 following the Tata Group's acquisition of Air India from the Government of India.
During Wilson's tenure, the airline initiated major reforms, including fleet expansion, organisational restructuring and the integration of Air India with Vistara. However, Air India has continued to face significant operational and financial challenges, including mounting losses, disruptions caused by geopolitical developments, and scrutiny following the Boeing Dreamliner crash near Ahmedabad last year that claimed 260 lives. According to Air India, the Board unanimously selected Gebremariam after an extensive evaluation process, citing his proven leadership, operational expertise and strategic vision.
The airline said his appointment marks the beginning of a new phase focused on execution, sustainable growth and operational excellence. Gebremariam is widely credited with transforming Ethiopian Airlines into Africa's largest and one of the world's most profitable airline groups during his more than a decade as CEO. Under his leadership, the airline's revenue expanded more than fourfold while its fleet nearly tripled in size.
He also oversaw the development of modern maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facilities, aviation training infrastructure and an internationally competitive hub that significantly enhanced the airline's global standing. Air India said his experience in managing complex aviation operations, strengthening engineering capabilities, expanding long-haul international networks and developing high-performance organisations would be instrumental as the carrier enters its next stage of growth. The airline also highlighted his strong focus on aviation safety, regulatory compliance, workforce development and customer service.
The leadership change comes as Air India continues to navigate financial headwinds. According to the latest annual report released by Singapore Airlines, the airline reported a loss of approximately $2.8 billion during the 2025-26 financial year. The carrier has also faced operational disruptions in recent months due to the closure of Pakistan's airspace and the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, both of which have forced cancellations and route adjustments affecting international operations.
Air India said Gebremariam will work closely with aviation regulators and government authorities to strengthen India's position as a leading global aviation hub while maintaining the highest standards of operational safety and service quality. The airline believes his experience in building efficient hub operations and managing sustained profitability will support its long-term growth strategy. Tata Sons and Air India Chairman N.
Chandrasekaran welcomed the appointment, stating that the airline has completed its initial stabilisation and integration phase and is now entering a critical period of expansion. He said Gebremariam's record of building one of the world's most efficient airline groups makes him ideally suited to lead Air India through its next phase of development. Chandrasekaran also acknowledged Campbell Wilson's contribution in laying the foundation for the airline's revival.
He credited Wilson with overseeing the complex integration process, launching one of the industry's largest fleet modernisation programmes, improving corporate governance and establishing the strategic framework required for Air India's long-term transformation. With fresh leadership now in place, Air India aims to strengthen its global competitiveness through enhanced operational efficiency, improved customer experience, expanded international connectivity and continued investment in modern aviation infrastructure. The airline said details regarding Gebremariam's onboarding schedule and the leadership transition will be announced in due course.
The appointment signals the Tata Group's continued commitment to rebuilding Air India into a world-class carrier capable of competing with leading international airlines while positioning India as a major global aviation hub. Team Maverick. isko sco ke saath reright karo Air India Names Aviation Veteran Tewolde Gebremariam as CEO to Drive Global Growth, Safety and Operational Excellence New Delhi, Aug 5: Air India has appointed globally renowned aviation executive Tewolde Gebremariam, the former Chief Executive Officer of Ethiopian Airlines Group, as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Managing Director, marking a significant leadership transition as the Tata Group-owned carrier enters the next phase of its transformation journey. The appointment comes at a crucial juncture for Air India, which is working to strengthen its operational performance, improve financial sustainability, expand its international network and restore passenger confidence following recent operational challenges.
Gebremariam will succeed Campbell Wilson, who has led the airline since its acquisition by the Tata Group in 2022. Announcing the appointment, Air India said its Board unanimously selected Gebremariam after an extensive global search, describing him as the ideal leader to steer the airline through its next phase of growth. The airline highlighted his proven ability to transform complex aviation businesses, strengthen operational efficiency, enhance safety standards and build globally competitive airline hubs.
During his more than ten-year tenure at Ethiopian Airlines, Gebremariam transformed the carrier into Africa's largest and one of the world's most successful airline groups. Under his leadership, the airline's revenues grew more than four times while its fleet nearly tripled. He also oversaw the development of world-class maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facilities, aviation academies, engineering capabilities and an internationally recognised transit hub in Addis Ababa.
Air India said his experience in expanding long-haul international operations, improving engineering reliability, developing aviation infrastructure and creating a high-performance organisational culture would be invaluable as the airline pursues its long-term vision of becoming a leading global carrier. The leadership change follows a challenging period for Air India. The airline has continued to report financial losses while facing operational disruptions caused by the closure of Pakistan's airspace, instability in the Middle East and the ongoing investigation into last year's Boeing Dreamliner crash near Ahmedabad, which claimed 260 lives.
These developments have affected international operations and slowed aspects of the airline's revival programme. According to the airline, Gebremariam's priorities will include enhancing operational reliability, strengthening safety oversight, improving customer experience and expanding Air India's global network while maintaining the highest standards of regulatory compliance. Welcoming the appointment, Tata Sons and Air India Chairman N.
Chandrasekaran said the airline has successfully completed the first phase of its transformation under Campbell Wilson's leadership and is now entering a period focused on execution, profitability and international expansion. "Tewolde has built one of the world's most efficient and respected airline groups. His deep operational expertise, unwavering commitment to safety and proven ability to develop world-class aviation hubs make him exceptionally well suited to lead Air India into its next era," Chandrasekaran said.
He also acknowledged Wilson's contribution to Air India's revival, crediting him with leading the airline through a complex integration process, initiating an ambitious fleet modernisation programme, strengthening governance standards and laying the foundation for future growth. Air India said Gebremariam will work closely with India's civil aviation authorities and regulatory agencies to strengthen the country's position as a major global aviation hub while ensuring world-class standards in safety, engineering and service delivery. The airline also emphasised that his leadership aligns with India's broader aviation ambitions, including expanding international connectivity, developing modern aviation infrastructure and enhancing India's competitiveness in global air travel.
With strong financial backing from the Tata Group, a record aircraft order, ongoing fleet modernisation and a renewed strategic focus, Air India believes the appointment of Tewolde Gebremariam represents a major milestone in its transformation. The airline said details regarding his formal joining date and the transition process will be announced shortly. As Air India embarks on its next phase, the focus will remain on building a safe, reliable and globally competitive airline capable of representing India on the world stage while delivering a superior travel experience to passengers.
Team Maverick.
