Air India Names Former Ethiopian Airlines Chief as CEO to Lead Global Expansion

Air India on Wednesday appointed Tewolde Gebremariam, the former chief executive of Ethiopian Airlines Group, as its new Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, entrusting the veteran aviation leader with steering the airline through its next phase of global expansion and operational transformation.

Gebremariam, an Ethiopian national, succeeds Campbell Wilson, who stepped down earlier this year after leading the Tata Group-owned airline since July 2022. His appointment follows a global search conducted by Air India's board, which evaluated both internal and international candidates.

The Tata Group said the decision was driven by Gebremariam's proven ability to build and scale a globally competitive airline. During his more than 11-year tenure as CEO of Ethiopian Airlines, he transformed the carrier into Africa's largest and most profitable airline group, increasing revenue by more than four times and nearly tripling its fleet. He also led the expansion of long-haul international routes, strengthened maintenance and engineering capabilities, and developed world-class aviation training infrastructure.

Tata Sons and Air India Chairman N. Chandrasekaran said the airline has completed its initial phase of stabilisation, integration, and fleet commitments under Wilson's leadership and is now entering a critical execution and expansion stage. He said Gebremariam's expertise in operational excellence, safety, hub development, and profitability makes him the right leader to accelerate Air India's transformation into a premier global carrier.

Accepting the role, Gebremariam said Air India carries an extraordinary legacy and offers a unique opportunity to build a world-class airline that reflects India's growing economic strength. He currently serves as a Senior Strategic Advisor to Delta Air Lines and the IFC/World Bank Group and brings nearly four decades of aviation experience.

The appointment comes as Air India pursues ambitious expansion plans while navigating supply-chain disruptions, aircraft delivery delays, and rising competition. Notably, with Willie Walsh recently taking charge at IndiGo, India's two largest airlines are now headed by foreign CEOs, reflecting the industry's increasing focus on global expertise to drive growth.