Air India Appoints Tewolde Gebremariam as CEO After Campbell Wilson Exit

Former Ethiopian Airlines Boss to Lead Air India’s Next Phase of Global Expansion

Air India has appointed former Ethiopian Airlines Group Chief Executive Officer Tewolde Gebremariam as its new Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, marking a major leadership transition as the Tata Group-owned airline enters the next phase of its transformation. The announcement was made on Wednesday following an extensive global search conducted by the airline’s board of directors.

Gebremariam succeeds Campbell Wilson, who announced his resignation on April 7 after leading Air India since July 2022, shortly after the Tata Group took over the airline from the Indian government. Wilson played a pivotal role in stabilising the carrier, overseeing its merger with Vistara, integrating Air India Express with AIX Connect, placing a record aircraft order, launching a new brand identity, and initiating large-scale fleet modernisation programmes.

According to Air India, the board’s search committee evaluated both internal and international candidates before selecting Gebremariam. The airline said the objective was to identify a leader with proven experience in managing large-scale airline transformations, improving operational performance, maintaining high safety standards, delivering superior customer service, and driving profitable long-term growth.

The appointment also puts an end to speculation surrounding Gebremariam’s future after reports from Pakistan suggested he had been selected to lead the newly privatised Pakistan International Airlines (PIA). Reuters had earlier reported that he was the preferred candidate for the role, although the appointment was awaiting mandatory security clearances. Air India’s announcement officially rules out that possibility.

Gebremariam brings nearly four decades of aviation experience to Air India. He joined Ethiopian Airlines in 1985 as a traffic officer and steadily rose through the organisation, holding several commercial and operational leadership roles across India, Saudi Arabia, and North America. He became Chief Operating Officer in 2006 before taking over as Group Chief Executive Officer in 2011.

During his tenure as CEO, Ethiopian Airlines underwent one of the most remarkable transformations in global aviation. The airline expanded from a regional carrier into Africa’s largest airline group, significantly strengthening its international network and operational capabilities. Under his leadership, annual revenues increased from approximately $1 billion to nearly $4.5 billion, while the airline’s fleet almost tripled in size. Ethiopian Airlines also expanded its long-haul network, strengthened its hub operations in Addis Ababa, maintained globally recognised safety standards, and invested heavily in maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) infrastructure.

Air India believes this experience aligns closely with its own long-term ambitions. Following the Tata Group’s acquisition, the airline has embarked on one of the world’s largest aviation transformation programmes, involving fleet renewal, network expansion, operational restructuring, technology upgrades, customer service improvements, and integration of multiple airline businesses.

Accepting his appointment, Gebremariam described the opportunity as one of the defining moments of his career.

“It is a profound honour to be entrusted with leading Air India at such a historic moment in its journey. Air India carries an incredible legacy, and the opportunity to build a world-class global airline that reflects India’s extraordinary economic potential is uniquely exciting,” he said.

He also expressed his commitment to working closely with Tata Sons Chairman N. Chandrasekaran, the board, employees, government authorities, and industry partners to improve operational reliability, strengthen customer experience, and deliver sustainable long-term growth.

Air India Chairman N. Chandrasekaran said the airline had successfully completed the initial phase of its transformation under Campbell Wilson’s leadership and was now entering a critical execution stage focused on expansion and operational excellence.

According to Chandrasekaran, Gebremariam’s experience in building one of the world’s most efficient and profitable airline groups makes him uniquely qualified to lead Air India through its next phase. He highlighted the new CEO’s expertise in operational efficiency, aviation safety, and global hub development as key strengths that will help position Air India among the world’s leading international carriers.

The airline also acknowledged Campbell Wilson’s contribution over the past four years. During his tenure, Air India successfully completed complex mergers, initiated fleet modernisation programmes, introduced stronger corporate governance standards, and laid the foundation for future growth. Reports indicate Wilson had informed the Tata Group leadership in 2024 about his intention to step down in 2026, despite his contract running until 2027.

Air India stated that the detailed transition timeline for Gebremariam’s appointment will be announced in due course. Under the new leadership, the airline plans to focus on improving on-time performance, upgrading aircraft cabins, enhancing passenger experience, expanding international connectivity, strengthening operational reliability, and continuing investments in employee training and infrastructure.

The appointment comes at a crucial time for India’s aviation sector, which continues to witness rapid growth in domestic and international passenger traffic. As competition intensifies among global airlines, Air India aims to establish itself as a premier international carrier capable of competing with leading global aviation brands while serving as a key hub connecting India with the rest of the world.