Tewolde Gebremariam has taken operational charge of Air India as the airline’s incoming Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, succeeding Campbell Wilson and beginning the next phase of the Tata Group-owned carrier’s transformation. Gebremariam addressed Air India employees at a town hall on September 7 alongside Tata Sons and Air India Chairman N. Chandrasekaran and outgoing CEO and MD Campbell Wilson.
The leadership transition follows Air India’s August 5 announcement that its Board had appointed Gebremariam as CEO and MD. The airline said the selection followed a comprehensive search overseen by a dedicated Board committee, which evaluated candidates from India and overseas. The Board identified his experience in airline turnarounds, operational execution, safety, service and profitable expansion as relevant to Air India’s next phase.
While Gebremariam has assumed operational responsibilities, reports on September 7 said his formal designation as CEO and MD will become official after the necessary government security clearances are completed. The New Indian Express reported that he took operational charge on September 7, while Indian Express said he would assume the formal role after the required clearance.
Safety emerged as the central priority in Gebremariam’s first interaction with Air India employees. He called for a stronger safety culture across the organisation and urged employees to raise concerns when they identify problems. He also linked operational excellence with the everyday delivery of reliable departures and arrivals, baggage handling and aircraft cleanliness.
Gebremariam told employees that a safety-first culture must be the airline’s top priority. He also used the phrase “Make Air India Great Again” while outlining his ambition for the carrier. The comments came as Air India continues to face scrutiny over operational safety and works through the next stage of its transformation.
Chandrasekaran also highlighted safety, customer trust, operational execution and cost discipline as key priorities for Air India’s next phase. He said the airline’s safety record should not merely match leading global airlines but should exceed them. He also called for stronger processes, compliance, accountability and greater cost consciousness across the organisation.
Gebremariam brings more than three decades of aviation experience to Air India. He spent more than 36 years with Ethiopian Airlines, including 11 years as the group’s CEO, according to Indian Express. During his tenure, he oversaw the expansion of Ethiopian Airlines into a major international aviation group and helped develop Addis Ababa as a major aviation hub.
Air India’s official announcement also highlighted his experience during his decade-plus tenure at Ethiopian Airlines Group, where the airline said he led a multi-billion-dollar expansion. During that period, revenue grew more than fourfold and fleet size nearly tripled, according to Air India. The company also pointed to his experience in international long-haul networks, hub operations, safety standards, engineering quality and operational reliability.
Gebremariam is taking charge at a challenging point in Air India’s transformation. The airline continues to deal with the operational and financial impact of recent disruptions, including the June 2025 AI171 accident, airspace restrictions and higher fuel costs. Financial Express reported that Air India recorded a loss of about $2.8 billion, or nearly ₹26,798 crore, in FY2025-26.
The airline is also pursuing an extensive fleet and network expansion programme. Financial Express reported that Air India plans to add around 600 aircraft to its fleet, while The New Indian Express reported an order book of more than 500 aircraft. The difference reflects the way the two reports describe the carrier’s planned fleet expansion and existing order book.
The leadership change therefore places Gebremariam at the centre of Air India’s next stage, with safety, operational reliability, customer trust and financial discipline identified as key areas of focus as the airline continues its transformation under the Tata Group.
