Air India taps Ethiopian Airlines turnaround veteran Tewolde Gebremariam as CEO after Campbell Wilson's exit

Air India has named Tewolde Gebremariam, the former chief executive of Ethiopian Airlines Group, as its Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, betting on one of the aviation industry's most accomplished turnaround specialists to steer the Tata Group-owned carrier through its next phase of growth after a turbulent period marked by mounting losses, regulatory scrutiny and operational challenges.

Gebremariam succeeds Campbell Wilson, who announced his resignation earlier this week after leading Air India since 2022. Although Wilson's five-year term was due to run until July 2027, he had informed Air India Chairman N. Chandrasekaran in 2024 of his intention to step down in 2026 and agreed to remain in the role until a successor was appointed.

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His departure comes as Air India navigates rising financial pressure, increased regulatory oversight following last year's fatal Ahmedabad crash, geopolitical disruptions that have affected international operations, and the complex integration of its expanded airline business.

In July, Bloomberg News reported Pakistan International Airlines Corp. had shortlisted Gebremariam for the role of its CEO, according to a person familiar with the matter.

The appointment follows a global search overseen by a committee of Air India's Board, which evaluated internal and international candidates before unanimously selecting Gebremariam to lead the airline's next chapter. Air India said it was looking for a leader with a proven record in executing large-scale airline turnarounds, delivering operational excellence, strengthening safety standards and driving profitable expansion.

A widely respected aviation executive, Gebremariam led Ethiopian Airlines Group for more than a decade, overseeing its transformation from a regional carrier into Africa's largest and most profitable airline group. During his tenure, the airline expanded its revenues more than fourfold while nearly tripling its fleet. Air India said his experience in managing large-scale airline transformations, expanding long-haul international networks, developing global hub operations, strengthening engineering and maintenance capabilities, and building a customer-focused organisational culture made him the ideal choice for the role.

His appointment comes as Air India shifts from what it described as the foundational phase of stabilisation, integration and fleet commitments to a strategy centred on execution, profitability and global expansion.

Also Read: Air India CEO Campbell Wilson resigns after Ahmedabad crash, airspace closure trouble Tata-owned carrier

"On behalf of the Board, I am delighted to welcome Tewolde to Air India. 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. 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. His operational expertise, commitment to safety, and vision for hub development will be instrumental as we establish Air India as a premier global carrier and a source of national pride," N. Chandrasekaran, Chairman of Tata Sons and Air India, said.

"It is a profound honour to be entrusted with leading Air India at such a historic moment in its journey. Air India carries an incredible legacy, and the opportunity to build a world-class global airline that reflects India’s extraordinary economic potential is uniquely exciting. 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," Gebremariam said.

The Board also thanked Wilson for overseeing Air India's revival over the past three years, during which he led the integration of Tata Group airlines, launched the carrier's fleet modernisation programme, strengthened corporate governance and laid the foundations for its long-term transformation.