Former Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO Tewolde Gebremariam has been appointed Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Air India, weeks after he emerged as a leading candidate for the top role at Pakistan International Airlines (PIA).
Air India announced the appointment on Wednesday following a global search to replace Campbell Wilson, who has headed the airline since Tata Group took control of the carrier in 2022.
The airline’s board selected Tewolde for his experience in transforming aviation businesses, improving operational performance, expanding international networks and building sustainable growth strategies.
Tewolde led Ethiopian Airlines from 2011 to 2022, overseeing one of the most successful turnarounds in the global aviation industry. During his tenure, the airline’s annual revenue grew from around $1 billion to over $4.5 billion, while its fleet expanded from 33 aircraft to nearly 130 aircraft.
Passenger traffic also increased from approximately 3 million to around 12 million annually, helping Ethiopian Airlines become Africa’s largest airline group by fleet size, destinations and revenue.
Under his leadership, Ethiopian Airlines expanded its aircraft maintenance, cargo, training and airport infrastructure capabilities, strengthening Addis Ababa’s position as a major international aviation hub.
Tewolde also guided the airline through major challenges, including the COVID-19 crisis and the 2019 crash of Ethiopian Airlines Flight ET302. During the pandemic, the carrier remained profitable by rapidly expanding cargo operations while many global airlines faced heavy losses.
His appointment comes as Air India continues a major transformation programme under Tata Group ownership, focused on fleet expansion, service improvements and global network growth.
The Air India Group, which includes Air India, Air India Express and the merged Vistara operations, operates more than 300 aircraft and serves over 100 destinations. The group has also placed orders for 570 Airbus and Boeing aircraft as part of its fleet modernization plan.
Before joining Air India, Tewolde was reportedly considered among the preferred candidates to lead PIA following Pakistan’s plan to privatize the national carrier.
Air India Chairman N. Chandrasekaran said Tewolde’s experience in building Ethiopian Airlines into a globally recognized carrier would help guide Air India’s next phase of expansion.
Tewolde will now focus on improving operational reliability, strengthening safety standards, expanding international connectivity and enhancing customer experience as Air India aims to become a leading global airline.
