NEW DELHI—Air India has appointed former Ethiopian Airlines chief executive Tewolde Gebremariam as its new chief executive officer and managing director, ending a months-long search for a new leader after the resignation of Campbell Wilson and handing the airline's ambitious turnaround to an executive widely known for transforming Africa's largest carrier.
The Tata Group-owned airline announced the appointment on Wednesday, saying Gebremariam will succeed Wilson, who announced his resignation in April after informing Chairman N. Chandrasekaran of his intention to step down. Wilson is expected to remain with the company until Sept. 30 to support the leadership transition.
Gebremariam led Ethiopian Airlines for more than a decade, overseeing rapid fleet expansion, network growth and profitability that established the carrier as Africa's largest airline. After leaving Ethiopian Airlines in 2022, he served as a senior strategic adviser to Delta Air Lines.
Air India Chairman N. Chandrasekaran said the airline had reached a critical stage in its transformation and required experienced leadership to execute the next phase of its long-term strategy. The company has been pursuing an extensive overhaul since its return to Tata Group ownership in 2022, including fleet renewal, technology upgrades, brand modernization and the integration of Vistara into Air India.
Gebremariam takes charge as Air India faces significant operational and financial challenges. The carrier has reported record losses, remains under heightened regulatory scrutiny following last year's fatal crash that killed 260 people, and continues to contend with operational disruptions linked to regional geopolitical tensions and airspace restrictions.
Wilson, a former Singapore Airlines executive appointed in 2022, had overseen the early stages of Air India's restructuring after privatization. During his tenure, the airline launched a sweeping transformation program, placed orders for hundreds of new aircraft, modernized operations and completed the merger with Vistara. Air India said Wilson had informed the board of his planned departure well in advance to ensure an orderly succession.
According to reports, Gebremariam's appointment remains subject to the completion of required government security clearances before he formally assumes the role. His arrival concludes a leadership search that had been managed by an interim oversight structure led by Chandrasekaran while the airline evaluated external and internal candidates.
