Air India has appointed Tewolde Gebremariam, former CEO of Ethiopian Airlines Group, as its new Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, succeeding Campbell Wilson. The appointment was announced by Air India’s Board on August 5, 2026, following a global search that considered both internal and external candidates.
Gebremariam brings more than a decade of experience leading Ethiopian Airlines. During his tenure, he oversaw a major expansion that increased the airline group’s revenue more than fourfold and expanded its fleet nearly threefold, according to Air India.
His appointment comes as Air India enters the next phase of its transformation under the Tata Group, with a focus on operational reliability, safety, profitability, international expansion and improved passenger experience.
The airline said Gebremariam’s experience in managing large-scale airline operations, developing global hubs, strengthening maintenance and training capabilities, and driving organisational change made him a strong fit for the role.
The new CEO will take charge at a challenging time for Air India, which is working to improve its financial performance while dealing with operational and regulatory pressures. The airline is also undertaking fleet modernisation and expanding its international network.
Gebremariam said he was honoured to lead Air India and expressed his intention to work with employees, the Board and industry partners to build a reliable, globally competitive airline focused on long-term growth.
His appointment marks a significant leadership change for Air India as the carrier moves from its initial turnaround and integration phase towards a more growth- and profitability-focused strategy.
