Air India CEO Appointment: Tewolde Gebremariam Tapped for Turnaround

Air India's board has named Tewolde Gebremariam, former chief executive of Ethiopian Airlines, as the carrier's new CEO and managing director, succeeding Campbell Wilson in what industry observers are calling a decisive pivot toward operational discipline.

Gebremariam is widely regarded as one of commercial aviation's most accomplished executives, having grown Ethiopian Airlines' revenue more than fourfold and nearly tripled its fleet during his tenure from 2011 to 2022. Internal documents cited by Reuters describe him as a "change leader" with deep crisis-management experience — qualities Air India's board views as critical as the airline works to restore safety confidence following a deadly crash in June 2025 and addresses mounting losses tied to geopolitical routing disruptions.

Analysts characterize the appointment as a transition from Air India's recent phase of aggressive acquisition and merger activity toward a focus on execution and financial stability. Gebremariam's mandate is expected to center on modernizing the aging fleet and reducing cash burn. His formal start date remains subject to government security clearance, with Wilson's notice period running through Sept. 30.