Air India has chosen an aviation veteran with a reputation for turning around complex airline operations to lead its next phase of growth. Tewolde Gebremariam, the former chief executive of Ethiopian Airlines Group, has been appointed Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Air India, succeeding Campbell Wilson.
The appointment was announced by the Air India board on August 5, following a months-long search for a new leader. The airline said it evaluated both internal and international candidates before selecting Gebremariam, citing his experience in airline turnarounds, operational excellence, safety, international expansion and profitable growth.
The change comes at an important moment for Air India. The Tata Group-owned airline has completed several major steps in its transformation since returning to Tata ownership in 2022, including the merger with Vistara, a major fleet modernisation programme and changes to its corporate structure. It is now attempting to turn those investments into a more reliable and financially stronger global carrier.
Gebremariam brings a long track record in building an international airline. He spent more than three decades with Ethiopian Airlines, joining the carrier in 1985 and rising through several commercial and operational roles. He became Group CEO in 2011 and remained in the position until 2022. During his tenure, Ethiopian Airlines expanded dramatically, with revenue increasing more than fourfold and its fleet nearly tripling, according to Air India.
Under his leadership, Ethiopian Airlines developed into Africa’s largest airline group and built a strong international network centred on Addis Ababa. Gebremariam was closely involved in expanding long-haul routes, strengthening hub operations and developing aviation infrastructure, including maintenance, repair and overhaul facilities and training capabilities.
That experience is particularly relevant to Air India, which is trying to build a stronger global hub-and-spoke network while upgrading its fleet and passenger experience. Air India has said its new CEO will be expected to focus on operational reliability, engineering standards, safety, employee development and customer service alongside expansion.
For passengers, some of these changes could eventually be visible in everyday aspects of flying. Air India has said it wants to improve on-time performance, modernise aircraft cabins, raise hospitality standards and offer more seamless international connectivity. The airline is also looking to strengthen its position as a major global aviation hub connecting India with key international markets.
The appointment also comes against a difficult financial backdrop. Air India Group recorded a loss of more than $2 billion in fiscal 2025-26, according to Singapore Airlines, which owns a 25.1% stake in the group. The airline is therefore facing the challenge of balancing ambitious fleet and network plans with the need to control costs and improve profitability.
The timing is also significant because Air India has faced heightened scrutiny following last year’s fatal crash, which killed 260 people. The accident increased pressure on the airline to strengthen safety, operational discipline and regulatory compliance. Gebremariam’s experience in managing crises, including the COVID-19 pandemic and the aftermath of the 2019 Boeing 737 MAX crash involving Ethiopian Airlines, is expected to be an important part of his leadership profile.
Tata Sons Chairman N Chandrasekaran said Air India had completed its initial stabilisation, integration and fleet commitments under Wilson and was now entering a “critical execution and expansion era”. He said Gebremariam’s experience in building an efficient and profitable airline would be valuable as Air India works towards becoming a leading global carrier.
Gebremariam, for his part, described the appointment as an honour and said Air India’s legacy and India’s economic potential made the opportunity particularly significant. He said he looked forward to working with the board, employees, government and industry partners to improve operational reliability, strengthen Indian hospitality and deliver sustainable long-term growth.
The appointment marks the end of Campbell Wilson’s tenure as the central figure in Tata’s initial Air India revival. Wilson, a former Singapore Airlines executive, took over in 2022 after the Tata Group acquired Air India from the government. During his tenure, he oversaw the airline’s brand transformation, fleet modernisation and the complex integration of Air India and Vistara. He announced his resignation in April 2026 and is expected to remain through the transition period, with his tenure running until September 30.
The next phase will arguably be more demanding than the first. Air India now has to convert a large-scale transformation programme into consistent performance on the ground and in the air. That means better punctuality, dependable operations, stronger safety systems, improved customer experience and, ultimately, sustainable profits.
Gebremariam’s record suggests that he understands the scale of such a task. But Air India’s challenges are different from those faced by Ethiopian Airlines, and its transformation involves a much larger and more competitive aviation market.
His immediate challenge will be to bring together people, aircraft, routes, technology and operational systems into one dependable airline. For Air India, the appointment is therefore not simply a change at the top. It is a bet that experience gained from building one of Africa’s strongest carriers can help the Maharaja regain a stronger place in global aviation.