Air India has appointed Tewolde Gebremariam, the former chief executive of Ethiopian Airlines Group, as its new chief executive officer and managing director, replacing Campbell Wilson. The Tata Group-owned carrier chose Gebremariam after a global search as it presses ahead with a turnaround programme, fleet expansion and efforts to stabilise operations following a period of intense scrutiny and disruption.
Gebremariam led Ethiopian Airlines through a long phase of expansion and helped establish it as Africa’s largest and most profitable airline group. Air India positioned that background as central to the appointment, given the carrier’s need to improve performance across its full-service and low-cost operations while continuing its wider restructuring.
One report said he will take up the role after the necessary Indian security clearances are completed. Wilson departs after overseeing an early phase of Air India’s transformation, which has included major network and product plans as the airline works to rebuild its long-haul competitiveness.