Air India names ex-Ethiopian Airlines chief Tewolde Gebremariam CEO and MD
The Tata Group carrier has selected Tewolde Gebremariam to succeed Campbell Wilson, subject to regulatory and security approvals. The leadership change comes as Air India pursues a multiyear turnaround amid widening FY26 losses and a major network, fleet and service expansion.
What happened
Air India appointed former Ethiopian Airlines chief Tewolde Gebremariam as CEO and MD, succeeding Campbell Wilson. The Tata Group airline enters an expansion
Key facts
- Tewolde Gebremariam appointed CEO and managing director
- Gebremariam spent more than 36 years at Ethiopian Airlines and was group CEO from 2011 to 2022
- Ethiopian Airlines revenue grew more than fourfold and fleet nearly tripled during his tenure
- Air India Group FY26 combined net loss: Rs22,238 crore
- Air India Group FY25 combined net loss: Rs10,859 crore
- FY26 combined revenue: Rs71,870 crore, down nearly 9 percent year-on-year
- Air India transformation estimated as a five- to 10-year journey
Why this matters
Air India’s leadership reset may accelerate strategic partnership, fleet, technology and network opportunities as Tata seeks external capabilities to support its turnaround.
What to watch
- Timing and conditions of regulatory and security approvals.
- Whether Campbell Wilson remains involved through a structured handover or exits quickly.
- Changes to Air India's planned international route launches, frequency additions or route suspensions.
- Monthly operational metrics, including on-time performance, cancellations, aircraft utilization and customer complaints.
- Further disclosures on FY26 losses, cash needs, lease obligations or Tata capital support.
- Senior executive departures or appointments following the CEO change.
- Evidence of revised fleet delivery, retrofit or training timelines.
- Confirm regulatory and security clearances and establish the CEO transition timetable.
- Review long-haul route profitability, especially marginal new international services and hub connectivity at Delhi and Mumbai.
- Reassess fleet-induction sequencing, pilot and maintenance capacity, and cabin retrofit schedules.
- Refresh the top operating leadership team across network planning, operations, commercial, engineering and customer experience.
- Set measurable turnaround milestones around punctuality, cancellations, premium product consistency, ancillary revenue and unit-cost performance.