Archive · 6 Aug 2026
Tewolde Gebremariam chooses Air India over Pakistan International Airlines
There is a very experienced airplane boss named Tewolde Gebremariam.
He is known as one of the best people at running airlines.
Two airlines wanted him to work for them.
One was Air India and the other was Pakistan International Airlines, which people call PIA.
PIA's new owners really wanted him, but his job there was still waiting for a security check.
He decided to go to Air India instead.
Air India is a much bigger airline with 187 planes and hundreds more on order.
PIA only has 18 working planes out of 32, and its planes are much older.
He wants to help Air India grow bigger and better.
Air India is having some hard times right now, like losing money and facing tough competition.
People think his skills in fixing airlines will help Air India become stronger.
Tewolde Gebremariam chose to join Air India despite being the top choice of PIA's new private owner, Arif Habib Corporation Limited.
The Pakistan International Airlines appointment reportedly awaited security clearance.
PIA has an operational fleet of 18 of its 32 aircraft, with an average fleet age of 18.7 years, and is reportedly looking to order 16 additional Boeing aircraft.
Air India has a fleet of 187 aircraft, over 400 aircraft on order including Boeing A350s and Airbus A321XLRs, and an average fleet age of 8.7 years.
Gebremariam joins Air India as it faces massive revenue losses, operational challenges, safety and engineering issues, and stiff competition from IndiGo.
- Who
- Tewolde Gebremariam, a widely recognized airline chief executive, along with Air India and Pakistan International Airlines.
- What
- Gebremariam chose to lead Air India rather than Pakistan International Airlines, despite being PIA's top choice for its new private owner.
- When
- Not specified in the articles.
- Where
- India, Air India's home market, which is described as the world's fastest-growing aviation market.
- Why
- Leading an airline in the world's fastest-growing aviation market offers a challenging but decisive career opportunity, while the PIA offer reportedly awaited security clearance.
- Airline chosen
- Air India
- Airline declined
- Pakistan International Airlines (PIA)
- PIA's new private owner
- Arif Habib Corporation Limited
- PIA operational fleet
- 18 of 32 aircraft
- PIA average fleet age
- 18.7 years
- Air India fleet size
- 187 aircraft
- Air India aircraft on order
- Over 400
- Air India average fleet age
- 8.7 years