Who Is Air India’s New CEO Tewolde Gebremariam? The Aviation Veteran Who Turned Ethiopian Airlines Into a Global Success Story

Air India has appointed seasoned aviation executive Tewolde Gebremariam as its new Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, marking a significant leadership change as the airline continues its long-term transformation under the Tata Group.

Gebremariam succeeds Campbell Wilson at a time when Air India is expanding its international footprint, modernising its fleet, and working to improve operational performance in an increasingly competitive aviation market.

A Four-Decade Journey in Aviation

Tewolde Gebremariam began his career with Ethiopian Airlines in 1985 as a traffic officer in Addis Ababa. Over the years, he held a wide range of leadership roles across cargo operations, commercial strategy, sales, and international management.

His career also included a stint as the airline’s Regional Director for India and South Asia, giving him valuable insight into one of the world’s fastest-growing aviation markets.

After serving in several senior management positions, he became Group CEO of Ethiopian Airlines in 2011, a role he held until stepping down in 2022 due to health reasons.

Transforming Ethiopian Airlines

During his tenure, Ethiopian Airlines witnessed remarkable growth and established itself as Africa’s largest airline group.

Under his leadership:

• Annual revenue reportedly increased from around $1 billion to nearly $5 billion.
• The airline’s fleet expanded from approximately 30 aircraft to more than 130.
• Passenger numbers grew significantly as the carrier expanded its international route network.
• Addis Ababa emerged as a major aviation hub connecting Africa, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and North America.

Beyond network expansion, Gebremariam focused on building a self-reliant aviation ecosystem by investing in aircraft maintenance, pilot training, cargo operations, and aviation education.

ALSO READ : Petrol, Diesel Prices Today: OPEC+ Decision Raises Fresh Concerns, Check August 3 Fuel Rates in Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru & More

The airline also modernised its fleet by introducing next-generation aircraft, including the Boeing 787 Dreamliner and Airbus A350.

Leading Through Global Challenges

His leadership was tested during several major global crises, including the COVID-19 pandemic, the worldwide grounding of the Boeing 737 MAX, and the tragic 2019 Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 crash.

Despite these setbacks, Ethiopian Airlines maintained its position as one of Africa’s strongest carriers and continued expanding its operations.

His contributions to the aviation industry earned him several international honours, including recognition from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the Centre for Aviation (CAPA).

A New Chapter for Air India

The appointment reflects Tata Group’s ambition to strengthen Air India as a globally competitive airline.

According to N. Chandrasekaran, Chairman of the Tata Group, the airline requires leadership with proven expertise in building profitable aviation businesses, developing international hubs, and managing large-scale airline operations.

Industry observers believe Gebremariam’s experience in transforming Ethiopian Airlines could prove valuable as Air India continues investing in fleet expansion, service improvements, and global connectivity.

With a strong aviation background and a reputation for long-term strategic planning, the new CEO now faces the challenge of guiding Air India through its next phase of growth while enhancing operational efficiency and customer experience.