Air India Appoints Gebremariam as CEO & MD
Major airline Air India has named former Ethiopian Airlines Group Chief Executive Officer Tewolde Gebremariam as its new Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, taking over from Campbell Wilson.
Only a few weeks back, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) announced Gebremariam as its new Chief Executive Officer.
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Air India’s Board of Directors approved the appointment after what the airline called an extensive global search conducted by a specialized board committee that assessed candidates from both inside and outside the organization.
Additionally, in the upcoming stage of the transition, security clearance will be pursued for Gebremariam.
According to Air India, the board aimed to find a leader with demonstrated expertise in overseeing major airline recoveries, enhancing operational performance, improving safety and service levels, and achieving profitable growth. Significantly, Gebremariam’s expertise in reshaping Ethiopian Airlines into the largest and most lucrative airline group in Africa positioned him as the top candidate to guide the carrier through its upcoming expansion, Air India stated.
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While at Ethiopian Airlines Group, Gebremariam managed a multi-billion-dollar expansion initiative that resulted in the airline’s revenues growing over four times, and its fleet expanding nearly threefold.
Moreover, Gebremariam possesses significant expertise in creating long-distance international networks, establishing global hub operations, enhancing maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) capabilities, and developing aviation training infrastructure.
Air India stated that the change in leadership occurs as the airline progresses past its initial stabilization and integration stage, focusing on execution, global expansion, and sustained profitability.
Additionally, the airline stated that Gebremariam’s expertise in workforce development, operational consistency, engineering standards, and customer service would aid its goal of becoming a top global carrier. N Chandrasekaran, Chairman of Tata Sons and Air India, stated that Campbell Wilson has effectively finished the initial transformation phase of the airline by managing intricate merger and integration processes, launching fleet modernization, and enhancing corporate governance.
“Having completed the initial phase of stabilisation, integration, and fleet commitments under Campbell’s guidance, Air India is now entering a critical execution and expansion era,” Chandrasekaran says.
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He mentioned that Gebremariam’s operational knowledge, dedication to safety, and background in creating global aviation centers would be crucial in establishing Air India as a top international airline.
Gebremariam remarked that it was an honor to guide Air India during a crucial phase of its development. He stated that the airline would prioritize operational reliability, customer service, and sustainable long-term growth while aiding India’s rise as a significant global aviation market.