Air India Fights to Revive After Hiring Former Ethiopian Airlines Chief
Air India has named former Ethiopian Airlines CEO Tewolde Gebremariam as its new chief executive officer, a move heavy‑laden with expectations as the airline struggles with a record annual loss and the after‑effects of a fatal crash last year that took 260 lives.
Gebremariam succeeds Campbell Wilson, who stepped down in April after being hired by the Tata Group when it acquired Air India from the Indian government in 2022. Wilson had already outlined a succession plan, citing his wish to step down in 2026, and was praised for stabilising the airline during a rough transition from state‑run to private ownership.
According to Air India, the board selected Gebremariam for his “deep operational knowledge” and historical ability to lead growth. The airline’s chairman, N Chandrasekaran, said the company “has now entered a critical phase of execution and global expansion.”
Gebremariam previously grew Ethiopian Airlines into Africa’s largest and most profitable carrier, almost tripling its fleet, adding cargo services, and steering the company through the 2019 Boeing 737 Max disaster that killed 157 passengers. Aviation specialists view him as an adept crisis manager who may similarly rebound Air India.
He will face an arduous path in Air India, which has suffered a series of operational shocks: the fatal Ahmedabad‑London crash last June, a scrummage of safety issues, and an August investigation that may expose further deficiencies. The final crash report is slated for release in October. The airline’s most recent financials show a nearly $2.3 bn loss, with Chandrasekaran warning that a recovery may take up to a decade.
Chiefs of aviation safety hint that Gebremariam’s portfolio will focus on restoring workplace morale, accelerating fleet refurbishment and redrawing the network to reduce losses while re‑affirming a world‑class airline that reflects India’s enormous growth potential.
The airline has yet to confirm a start date, with details awaiting a forthcoming announcement. In the meantime, Air India’s new leader must quell lingering customer concerns, re‑establish safety confidence, and advance a plan for market re‑entry across a 91‑destination network spanning India and abroad.
