Archive · 6 Aug 2026
Air India names former Ethiopian Airlines chief Tewolde Gebremariam CEO
Air India is a very big airline in India.
It has a new boss now!
His name is Tewolde Gebremariam.
Before this, he was the boss of Ethiopian Airlines in Africa.
Under his leadership, that airline grew a lot and made lots of money.
The people in charge of Air India searched all over the world to find the best person for the job.
Everyone on the board agreed that he was the right choice.
Air India has had some hard times recently—it lost a lot of money and there was a sad plane crash last year.
The new boss will try to make the airline stronger, safer, and better.
He can start working only after the government gives him permission.
Air India's board unanimously appointed former Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO Tewolde Gebremariam as its CEO and Managing Director on August 5, 2026, succeeding Campbell Wilson, who resigned in April.
The appointment followed a comprehensive global search overseen by a board committee that evaluated both internal and external candidates.
Under Gebremariam's more than a decade of leadership, Ethiopian Airlines' revenue grew from $1 billion in 2011 to $5 billion by 2022, profit reached $1 billion, and its fleet nearly tripled.
He takes charge as Air India faces a combined net loss of ₹22,238 crore in FY26, more than double the previous year's ₹10,859 crore loss, with revenue down nearly 9% to ₹71,870 crore, plus regulatory scrutiny after last year's fatal crash that killed 260 people.
Gebremariam, whom Pakistan International Airlines had named as its incoming CEO just weeks earlier, will formally assume charge after security clearance from the ministry of home affairs and the bureau of civil aviation security; chairman N. Chandrasekaran said the turnaround will take 5 to 10 years.
- Who
- Tewolde Gebremariam, former Group CEO of Ethiopian Airlines and former member of the International Air Transport Association's Board of Governors, was appointed Air India's CEO and Managing Director, succeeding Campbell Wilson; N. Chandrasekaran chairs Tata Sons and Air India.
- What
- Air India's board unanimously approved Gebremariam's appointment as CEO and MD following a comprehensive global search; India's two largest airlines, Air India and IndiGo, are now both led by foreign CEOs, with IndiGo's helm held by Willie Walsh.
- When
- Wednesday, August 5, 2026; Campbell Wilson resigned in April 2026.
- Where
- Air India, the Tata Group-owned Indian airline.
- Why
- To lead Air India into a 'critical execution and expansion era' as it faces heavy financial losses, regulatory scrutiny after the fatal 2025 crash, and operational disruptions linked to the Middle East conflict.
Air India board and leadership
Skeptics and industry observers
Right leader for the next phase
Air India board and leadership
The board unanimously concluded Gebremariam has the ideal combination of leadership, deep operational expertise, and strategic execution capability, citing his record of leading airline turnarounds and building Ethiopian Airlines into Africa's largest and most profitable carrier.
Skeptics and industry observers
Air India faces record losses (₹22,238 crore in FY26), regulatory scrutiny after the 2025 crash that killed 260 people, and disruptions from the Middle East conflict; Chairman Chandrasekaran himself said the turnaround will take 5 to 10 years, so quick results are unlikely.
Security clearance as a risk
Air India board and leadership
Security clearance is a routine mandatory step for airline CEOs in India, and Gebremariam's international standing should help the process go smoothly.
Skeptics and industry observers
The vetting is a sensitive step for Air India: before Campbell Wilson, former Turkish Airlines chairman Ilker Ayci declined the CEO role weeks before taking office after pushback over his political ties.
Abrupt appointment after PIA naming
Air India board and leadership
Air India ran a comprehensive global search and moved swiftly to secure a proven leader for its expansion era.
Skeptics and industry observers
Just weeks earlier, Pakistan International Airlines had named Gebremariam as its incoming CEO, and some may question the sudden switch and his recent focus on consulting rather than running an airline.
- New CEO & MD
- Tewolde Gebremariam
- Previous role
- Group CEO, Ethiopian Airlines (2011-2022)
- Appointment date
- August 5, 2026
- Outgoing CEO
- Campbell Wilson (resigned April 2026)
- Ethiopian Airlines results under him
- Revenue grew from $1 billion (2011) to $5 billion (2022); profit reached $1 billion; fleet nearly tripled
- Air India FY26 combined net loss
- ₹22,238 crore, up from ₹10,859 crore a year earlier; revenue fell nearly 9% to ₹71,870 crore
- Fatal 2025 crash
- Killed 260 people
- Recent roles
- Founder of TGM Advisory Services LLC; senior strategic advisor to Delta Air Lines
Sources
Air India names Tewolde Gebremariam as new chief executive
Who is Tewolde Gebremariam? Air India appoints former Ethiopian Airlines chief as CEO
Former Ethiopian Airlines chief to lead Air India
Air India names former Ethiopian Airlines head Tewolde Gebremariam as CEO
Air India appoints Gebremariam as CEO & MD
Who is Tewolde Gebremariam? Former Ethiopian Airlines chief succeeds Campbell Wilson as Air India CEO
Who is Tewolde Gebremariam? Meet the turnaround specialist succeeding Campbell Wilson at Air India
Air India Gets New CEO