Air India appoints Tewolde Gebremariam CEO

Air India has appointed former Ethiopian Airlines Group chief Tewolde Gebremariam as chief executive officer and managing director, placing an experienced airline operator in charge as the carrier confronts heavy losses, regulatory scrutiny and the unfinished work of its turnaround.

Gebremariam will succeed Campbell Wilson, Air India said on Wednesday, 5 August. The airline did not disclose when its new chief executive would formally take charge, saying the onboarding and transition schedule would be announced later.

Wilson is due to step down on 30 September after serving his notice period.

The appointment concludes a months-long search for new leadership at Air India, which returned to Tata Group ownership in 2022.

Singapore Airlines owns about 25% of the enlarged airline following Air India’s merger with Vistara, while Tata Sons holds the remaining stake.

Gebremariam led Ethiopian Airlines for more than a decade and is credited with turning it into Africa’s largest carrier.

During his tenure, annual revenue increased from about $1 billion to $4.5 billion, the fleet expanded from 33 aircraft to 130 and annual passenger numbers rose from three million to 12 million before the Covid-19 pandemic.

The airline also invested more than $700 million in supporting infrastructure, including maintenance, repair and overhaul facilities, cargo operations, an aviation academy, flight simulators and hotel capacity.

That experience is particularly relevant to Air India as it seeks to improve engineering reliability, workforce training and hub operations while expanding its international network.

Gebremariam began his career at Ethiopian Airlines in 1985 and held several commercial and operational roles before becoming chief executive in January 2011.

His earlier assignments included serving as regional director for India and Southeast Asia.

He also led Ethiopian Airlines through the collapse in global travel during the pandemic and the aftermath of the fatal Boeing 737 MAX crash in 2019.

Air India said its board had considered internal and external candidates and selected Gebremariam for his experience in airline turnarounds, long-haul expansion, operational reliability, safety, engineering and workforce development.

“Having completed the initial phase of stabilization, integration, and fleet commitments under Campbell’s guidance, Air India is now entering a critical execution and expansion era,” Tata Sons and Air India Chairman N. Chandrasekaran said.

“Tewolde’s track record in building one of the world’s most efficient and profitable airline groups makes him uniquely suited to lead Air India,” he said.

Gebremariam said he would focus on operational reliability, service and sustained growth.

“I look forward to working closely with Chairman Chandrasekaran, the Board, our employees, and all government and industry partners to deliver exceptional operational reliability, warm Indian hospitality, and sustained long-term growth,” he said.

He inherits an airline that has undergone extensive structural change but remains under financial and operational pressure. Air India Group reported a record loss of more than $2 billion in the year ended March 2026, according to financial disclosures by Singapore Airlines.

Its turnaround has been affected by delays in aircraft deliveries and cabin refurbishments, along with operational problems and safety concerns. Regulatory scrutiny intensified after the Air India crash in Ahmedabad in 2025, which killed 260 people.

Wilson took charge in July 2022, shortly after Tata Group regained control of the former state-owned airline. During his tenure, Air India merged with Vistara, introduced a new brand identity, placed large aircraft orders and began modernizing its fleet, technology and customer-facing operations.