Air India has announced the appointment of Tewolde Gebremariam as chief executive, succeeding Campbell Wilson who departed in April. Gebremariam previously led Ethiopian Airlines for over a decade, during which he significantly expanded the carrier’s fleet and operations to make it one of Africa’s largest and most profitable airlines.
The leadership transition occurs as Air India confronts substantial operational and financial difficulties. The airline reported a record loss of approximately $2.3 billion in recent months and continues to address the aftermath of a fatal crash that occurred last June, which claimed 260 lives on an Ahmedabad-London flight. A final investigation report on the incident is expected in October. Beyond the crash investigation, Air India has experienced multiple operational disruptions, including a Delhi-Vancouver flight that returned after nearly eight hours due to lacking clearance to enter Canadian airspace.
Tata Group acquired Air India from the Indian government in 2022, and the airline has operated under private ownership for nearly four years. The carrier currently maintains a fleet of 198 aircraft and operates approximately 5,000 weekly flights to 91 destinations. Wilson, a former Singapore Airlines executive, had previously indicated his intention to step down in 2026 and worked to prepare the organization for a management transition.
Gebremariam faces a challenging assignment at Air India. Experts cited his management of Ethiopian Airlines through two major crises—a 2019 Boeing 737 Max crash that killed 157 people and the Covid pandemic—as evidence of his capability to lead during turbulent periods. Air India’s leadership has indicated that the turnaround process could require up to a decade. Gebremariam’s anticipated priorities include restoring organizational culture, improving employee morale, advancing fleet modernization efforts, and restructuring route networks to address ongoing losses. The airline has not disclosed a specific start date for the new chief executive.
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