Air India appoints Tewolde Gebremariam as new CEO and managing director

GURUGRAM: Air India’s transformation story has entered a new, more demanding phase. After years of stabilisation, integration and fleet rebuilding, the Tata Group-owned airline is now betting on execution, scale and global competitiveness with the appointment of Tewolde Gebremariam as chief executive officer and managing director.

The leadership change marks a shift in priorities. Campbell Wilson’s tenure was focused on laying the foundations: bringing together a complex airline ecosystem, managing the merger process, modernising the fleet and rebuilding governance. Gebremariam’s mandate is expected to be more ambitious: turning those foundations into a profitable, reliable and globally respected aviation powerhouse.

The choice of Gebremariam signals Air India’s intent to play in the big league. During his more than a decade-long stint as chief executive of Ethiopian Airlines Group, he transformed the carrier into Africa’s largest and most profitable airline group. Under his leadership, Ethiopian Airlines expanded its fleet nearly threefold, grew revenues more than fourfold and built a reputation for operational excellence, international connectivity and aviation infrastructure development.

For Air India, the appointment comes at a crucial moment. The airline is preparing for the next stage of growth, with billions of dollars committed to aircraft acquisition, network expansion and improving passenger experience. But scaling an airline is not merely about adding planes. It requires strong operational systems, safety culture, engineering capabilities and a workforce aligned with a high-performance mindset.

Gebremariam’s experience in building global hubs, expanding long-haul networks and developing maintenance, repair and overhaul facilities could prove valuable as India seeks to strengthen its position as a major aviation market. With domestic air travel continuing to grow and international connectivity becoming a strategic priority, Air India’s ability to compete with global carriers will depend on execution rather than ambition alone.

N. Chandrasekaran, chairman of Tata Sons and Air India, said the airline had moved beyond its initial stabilisation phase and was now entering an era of expansion and profitable growth. The appointment reflects the board’s search for a leader who can combine operational expertise with the ability to manage a complex, large-scale transformation.

For Gebremariam, the challenge is significant. Air India carries decades of legacy, high expectations and the weight of representing India on the global aviation stage. Delivering consistent on-time performance, improving customer experience and building a culture centred on safety and service will be among his biggest tests.

The airline’s future will ultimately be measured not by announcements but by execution. Passengers will judge Air India through smoother journeys, better service, modern aircraft cabins and greater reliability. Employees will look for stronger career pathways, training opportunities and a workplace built on accountability and merit.

With a veteran aviation leader at the helm, Air India now begins its next chapter. The opportunity is enormous, but so are the expectations. The airline’s journey from revival to global relevance will depend on whether it can convert its renewed ambition into sustained performance.