Air India appoints new CEO amid financial & safety challenges
Former Ethiopian Airlines chief Tewolde Gebremariam has been named Air India’s next chief executive, taking over from Campbell Wilson last April. The appointment follows a turbulent period marked by a record loss of nearly $2.3 bn and the aftermath of a fatal airport‑to‑London crash that killed 260 people last year.
Air India’s board chose the 53‑year‑old CEO after an exhaustive search, citing his “leadership and operational expertise” to steer the airline into a new phase of growth. Chairperson N Chandrasekaran said that once the company completed its initial stabilization, it is now ready for critical execution and expansion.
Gebremariam’s record at Ethiopian Airlines—expanding the fleet nearly three‑fold and maintaining profitability during the 2019 Boeing 737 Max crashes and the COVID‑19 pandemic—has positioned him as the right choice to rebuild Air India’s workplace culture, accelerate fleet expansion, and reshape its network.
Despite the new leadership, challenges remain. The airline’s large operational footprint—198 aircraft, nearly 5,000 weekly flights to 91 destinations—has been beleaguered by safety incidents, a major October‑due crash report, one‑third cuts to international routes and regulatory scrutiny. Aviation experts argue that Gebremariam’s experience navigating crises may be decisive for turning the airline around.
“Gebremariam endeared himself to employees during both the Black Swan events at Ethiopian Airlines, especially by backing pilots and engineers,” said Sanjay Lazar, CEO of Avialaz Consultants. His focus now will be on uplifting morale and reviving Air India’s global ambitions.
A formal announcement of the transition date is forthcoming, with Air India signalling that Gebremariam will bring a proven blend of crisis management and operational expansion to the airline’s future.
