Air India Appoints Tewolde Gebremariam as CEO After Reported PIA Move Falls Through

Air India has appointed former Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO Tewolde Gebremariam as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Managing Director (MD), marking a significant leadership milestone in the Tata Group-owned airline's transformation journey.

Interestingly, before joining Air India, Gebremariam was reportedly set to lead Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), but the appointment never materialised as the airline awaited mandatory security clearances.

Almost Headed to Pakistan International Airlines

According to media reports, Tewolde Gebremariam had emerged as the preferred candidate to lead Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) after the carrier's management was transferred to a consortium led by the Arif Habib Group.

Reports suggested that PIA had selected him to spearhead the airline's post-privatisation turnaround strategy. However, the appointment was never officially announced as security clearance procedures remained pending.

A senior PIA official had reportedly stated that the airline would not announce the appointment until all mandatory approvals were completed.

Air India Secures the Veteran Airline Executive

Before PIA could finalise the appointment, Air India concluded its global search and selected Gebremariam to lead the airline's next phase of expansion.

Air India Chairman N. Chandrasekaran said the appointment followed an extensive international search for a leader with proven expertise in:

• Large-scale airline transformation
• Operational excellence
• Aviation safety
• Global network expansion
• Sustainable profitability

According to Chandrasekaran, Gebremariam's experience in building one of the world's most successful airline groups makes him well-suited to guide Air India's ambitious growth plans.

Who Is Tewolde Gebremariam?

Tewolde Gebremariam served as CEO of Ethiopian Airlines Group from 2011 to 2022, overseeing one of the most remarkable success stories in global aviation.

During his leadership, Ethiopian Airlines:

• Became Africa's largest airline group.
• Expanded its international route network significantly.
• Modernised its aircraft fleet.
• Strengthened aircraft maintenance and engineering capabilities.
• Developed Addis Ababa into one of Africa's leading aviation hubs.
• Improved profitability and global competitiveness.

After spending nearly four decades with Ethiopian Airlines, he stepped down in March 2022 citing health reasons.

Focus on Air India's Next Growth Phase

Accepting the appointment, Gebremariam described it as "a profound honour" to lead Air India during a historic period of transformation.

He said his priorities include:

• Enhancing operational reliability.
• Delivering world-class passenger experience.
• Showcasing Indian hospitality.
• Driving sustainable long-term growth.
• Expanding Air India's global connectivity.

Air India said the leadership change marks its transition from a stabilisation phase toward a future focused on profitability, international expansion and premium customer service.

Campbell Wilson's Contribution Recognised

The airline also acknowledged the contribution of outgoing CEO Campbell Wilson, crediting him with leading key reforms including:

• Fleet modernisation.
• Governance improvements.
• Merger integration.
• Organisational restructuring.

These initiatives laid the foundation for Air India's ongoing transformation under the Tata Group.

What the Appointment Means

With Tewolde Gebremariam at the helm, Air India is expected to accelerate its long-term strategy of becoming a globally competitive full-service carrier.

His appointment also marks a notable shift from a reported leadership role at Pakistan International Airlines to leading one of India's largest aviation revival stories under the Tata Group.