Air India has appointed Tewolde Gebremariam, the former chief executive of Ethiopian Airlines, as its new CEO as the airline confronts financial pressure, operational disruptions and heightened scrutiny following last year's fatal Ahmedabad-London crash.
According to reporting by the BBC, Gebremariam succeeds Campbell Wilson, who stepped down from the role in April. The appointment follows what Air India described as an extensive search process, with the airline's board unanimously selecting the aviation executive to lead its next phase of development.
The leadership change comes nearly four years after the Tata Group acquired Air India from the Indian government and launched an ambitious turnaround programme aimed at modernising the carrier and restoring its competitive position.
Board backs experienced airline builder
Air India said Gebremariam was selected for his leadership and operational experience gained during more than a decade at Ethiopian Airlines.
During his tenure, Ethiopian Airlines expanded its fleet significantly and emerged as one of Africa's largest and most profitable carriers.
N. Chandrasekaran, Chairman of Air India, said the airline had completed an initial phase focused on stabilisation, integration and fleet commitments and was now entering what he described as a "critical execution and expansion era".
Gebremariam, meanwhile, said he looked forward to building a world-class global airline that reflects India's economic potential.
Challenges awaiting the new chief executive
The new CEO inherits a business facing multiple operational and strategic challenges.
Key issues highlighted in the BBC report include:
The airline currently operates a fleet of 198 aircraft and runs nearly 5,000 weekly flights to 91 destinations across domestic and international markets, according to information cited by the BBC from Air India's website.
Industry pressures add to turnaround task
Beyond company-specific issues, Air India is also operating in a difficult industry environment.
India's aviation sector is contending with rising operating costs, aircraft delivery delays, route disruptions linked to geopolitical developments and tighter regulatory oversight.
These factors have complicated fleet expansion plans and increased pressure on airlines seeking to improve profitability while maintaining operational reliability.
According to the BBC, Chandrasekaran has previously indicated that a full turnaround of Air India could take up to a decade.
Track record shaped by crisis management
Industry observers cited by the BBC pointed to Gebremariam's experience leading Ethiopian Airlines through major disruptions, including the 2019 Boeing 737 Max crash and the Covid-19 pandemic.
During the pandemic, Ethiopian Airlines expanded its cargo operations while passenger demand collapsed, allowing the carrier to remain profitable during a period of unprecedented disruption for the global aviation industry.
Sanjay Lazar, CEO of aviation consultancy Avialaz Consultants, told the BBC that Gebremariam earned employee trust during these crises, particularly through his support for pilots and engineers.
Experts cited in the report said his priorities at Air India are likely to include strengthening workplace culture, improving employee morale, accelerating fleet refurbishment and expansion programmes, and reshaping the airline's network to improve financial performance.
Air India has not announced when Gebremariam will formally assume the role, saying further details will be shared at a later date.
As the airline moves into a new leadership phase, the focus will be on whether the veteran aviation executive can convert Tata Group's long-term transformation plans into operational and financial results while rebuilding confidence in one of India's most recognised carriers.
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