Ex-Ethiopian Airlines chief, once tipped for PIA, takes Air India helm
- Tewolde succeeds Campbell Wilson, who resigned after leading Air India since its return to Tata Group ownership in 2022
Air India has appointed former Ethiopian Airlines CEO Tewolde Gebremariam to lead its transformation and expansion efforts, following a turbulent period marked by a major crash and increased regulatory scrutiny.
- Tewolde Gebremariam's leadership experience.
- Air India's ongoing revival under Tata Group.
- Recent fatal crash and increased regulatory scrutiny.
Air India appointed former Ethiopian Airlines Group head Tewolde Gebremariam on Wednesday as its chief executive officer, to steer the carrier after a turbulent period.
Gebremariam was once tipped to become Pakistan International Airlines’ (PIA) chief executive. Bloomberg last month reported that PIA had shortlisted Gebremariam for the role of PIA CEO.
Tewolde succeeds Campbell Wilson, who resigned after leading the airline since its return to Tata Group ownership in 2022.
Tata Sons chairman N Chandrasekaran said the carrier was now entering a “critical execution and expansion era”.
Tewolde led Ethiopian Airlines Group for more than a decade.
Air India praised his experience in managing large-scale airline transformations.
Since Tata Group regained control of the formerly state-owned airline in 2022, it has embarked on an ambitious revival, placing record aircraft orders, upgrading its ageing fleet and integrating Air India with other group airlines.
The biggest setback to the airlines came in June 2025 when Air India Flight 171, a London-bound Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, crashed shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad, killing 241 of the 242 people on board and 19 people on the ground.
The airline has faced increased regulatory scrutiny after the crash, receiving several show-cause notices over other safety-related lapses.