Former Ethiopian Airlines CEO Emerges as Top Choice for PIA

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has shortlisted Tewolde Gebremariam, the former Chief Executive Officer of Ethiopian Airlines, as its next CEO, according to a Bloomberg report.

Citing a person familiar with the matter, Bloomberg reported that PIA plans to announce the appointment as early as Sunday, subject to the completion of the required corporate approvals. Neither PIA nor Gebremariam commented on the reported development.

If confirmed, the appointment would be one of the first major management decisions under PIA’s new ownership following the airline’s privatization.

Gebremariam is widely recognized for leading Ethiopian Airlines through a period of rapid expansion, helping transform it into Africa’s largest airline by fleet size and destinations while establishing Addis Ababa as a major regional aviation hub.

PIA’s new owners, led by businessman Arif Habib, are seeking to revive the loss-making national carrier after acquiring a majority stake last month under the federal government’s privatization programme.

The consortium has announced plans to strengthen PIA by expanding direct international routes and increasing the airline’s fleet to 38 aircraft as part of its long-term growth strategy.

According to Bloomberg, the acquisition was valued at approximately Rs180 billion, including the purchase of the government’s majority stake and additional capital commitments. The report also said the consortium intends to acquire the government’s remaining 25 percent stake at a premium to the original transaction price.