Air India has appointed aviation veteran Tewolde Gebremariam as its new CEO and managing director as the carrier looks to rebuild trust and strengthen its safety culture following last year’s fatal Ahmedabad crash.
Gebremariam will succeed Campbell Wilson at a critical point in Air India’s turnaround.
The appointment comes after Air India flight AI171 crashed shortly after taking off from Ahmedabad for London Gatwick in June 2025, killing 260 people. The investigation into the disaster remains ongoing.
Air India said safety and operational experience were key considerations in its global search for a new chief. The board sought a leader with a track record in major airline turnarounds, operational excellence and building a strong culture of safety and service.
Gebremariam spent more than a decade leading Ethiopian Airlines Group, transforming the regional carrier into Africa’s largest airline group. During his tenure, revenue increased more than fourfold and its fleet nearly tripled.
He also led Ethiopian Airlines through major crises, including the 2019 crash of Ethiopian Airlines flight 302, which killed 157 people. Air India chairman N. Chandrasekaran said Gebremariam’s safety credentials would be central to the carrier’s next phase.
“Tewolde’s track record in building one of the world’s most efficient and profitable airline groups makes him uniquely suited to lead Air India,” Chandrasekaran said.
“His operational expertise, commitment to safety, and vision for hub development will be instrumental as we establish Air India as a premier global carrier.”
Gebremariam said operational reliability would be among his priorities as he takes the helm.
“I look forward to working closely with Chairman Chandrasekaran, the Board, our employees, and all government and industry partners to deliver exceptional operational reliability, warm Indian hospitality, and sustained long-term growth,” he said.
Air India said Gebremariam would work closely with aviation authorities and regulators as it seeks to strengthen safety and compliance standards.
The carrier is also pushing ahead with its broader transformation, including fleet modernisation, international expansion and improvements to its customer experience.
Air India thanked Wilson for overseeing the first phase of the airline’s transformation, including its merger and integration program and major fleet commitments.
Gebremariam’s exact start date is yet to be announced.
