Air India just brought in Tewolde Gebremariam, the former head of Ethiopian Airlines, as its new CEO and Managing Director. That’s a pretty big shift for the Tata-owned airline, and it’s happening as Air India rolls forward with ambitious plans to expand its fleet and grow globally. Gebremariam is taking over from Campbell Wilson, who’s been leading the company since 2022 – that’s right after Air India came back under Tata Group control. Word is, Wilson handed in his resignation back in April.
The board made this pick after searching far and wide, weighing both insiders and candidates from outside. They were determined to find someone who really understands big airline operations, safety, efficiency, and knows how to drive sustainable growth. So, why Gebremariam? Air India points out he’s got a ton of experience. Just look at what he did at Ethiopian Airlines – he helped turn it into one of Africa’s biggest and most successful carriers. He’s familiar with building hubs, managing long-haul flights, staying reliable, and improving training programs.
N. Chandrasekaran, chairman of Tata Sons and Air India, thinks Gebremariam’s impressive record fits perfectly with where Air India wants to go next: less talk, more action, and scaling up. Gebremariam, for his part, says he’s honored to step in at what he sees as a historic moment for the airline. This leadership change signals something big for Air India.
The airline’s team says their priorities aren’t shifting – safety, reliability, expanding their network, and making service better remain at the top. The goal? To become a truly world-class carrier.
