In brief
Air India has named Tewolde Gebremariam its new CEO as the airline battles record losses of nearly 2.3 billion dollars and fallout from last year’s fatal crash. Gebremariam, formerly of Ethiopian Airlines, has steered the carrier through major crises and is expected to rebuild safety culture, lift morale, and accelerate fleet expansion. Experts say the new leader could guide the airline into a new phase of growth, but the transition will be tested against escalating financial pressures, regulatory scrutiny and a history of operational setbacks. Air India’s board chose him unanimously after an extensive search, setting a new direction for the Tata‑owned carrier.
Air India has appointed Tewolde Gebremariam, former chief executive of Ethiopian Airlines, as its new chief executive officer in a move intended to revamp a carrier hit by financial turmoil and a tragic safety record.
The decision follows Campbell Wilson’s planned departure in 2026 and comes as the airline has posted a record loss of almost 2.3 billion dollars last month, a situation that could take a decade to reverse.
Gebremariam’s experience steering Ethiopian through the 2019 Boeing 737 Max crash and maintaining profitability during the Covid pandemic has been highlighted by experts as a potential fit for tackling Air India’s safety woes and operational setbacks, including last year’s crash in Ahmedabad that cost 260 lives.
He is expected to focus on rebuilding workplace culture, boosting employee morale, accelerating delayed fleet expansion and re‑designing the network to stem losses, said industry voices.
Air India’s board, which chosen him unanimously after an extensive search, announced that details of his start date are forthcoming, signalling a new chapter for the Tata‑owned carrier as it seeks to stabilise and grow in a challenging aviation landscape.
