Air India appoints Tewolde Gebremariam as Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director

The Board of Directors of Air India announced the appointment of Tewolde Gebremariam as the airline’s Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, succeeding Campbell Wilson. This executive transition marks a pivotal juncture in Air India’s transformation journey to become a world-class, leading global airline.

Leadership Transition:
Tewolde Gebremariam has been appointed CEO & MD, succeeding Campbell Wilson

Board’s Selection Process:
A global search was conducted, evaluating both internal and external candidates. Gebremariam was chosen unanimously for his proven turnaround expertise.

Track Record:
As CEO of Ethiopian Airlines, he grew revenue fourfold and nearly tripled fleet size, transforming it into Africa’s largest and most profitable airline group.

Strategic Fit:
His strengths include hub development, operational reliability, safety, workforce training, and embedding a customer-first culture—exactly what Air India needs in its next growth phase.

Chairman’s Statement:
N. Chandrasekaran emphasized that Gebremariam’s operational expertise and vision will help establish Air India as a premier global carrier and a source of national pride.

Incoming CEO’s Vision:
Gebremariam called it a “profound honour” and pledged to deliver exceptional reliability, warm Indian hospitality, and sustained long-term growth.

Acknowledgment of Campbell Wilson:
Wilson is credited with stabilizing operations, overseeing mergers, initiating fleet modernization, and laying governance foundations.

Future Outlook:
Air India aims to strengthen India’s position as a global aviation hub, enhance connectivity, and maintain top-tier safety standards.

This transition signals Air India’s shift from stabilization to aggressive global expansion, with Gebremariam expected to replicate his Ethiopian Airlines success story in the Indian context.