Tewolde Gebremariam, who is set to take over as CEO and MD of Air India next month, held meetings with senior airline executives this week during his first visit to India since being appointed to the role, according to officials. Gebremariam, an aviation industry veteran and former chief of the Ethiopian Airlines Group, will succeed Campbell Wilson in the position.
Officials said Gebremariam visited both New Delhi and Mumbai during his trip, holding meetings with senior executives from Air India as well as the Tata Group. He is set to take charge of the Tata Group-owned airline at a critical juncture, as the carrier continues working on ambitious expansion plans amid several external challenges.
Air India announced Gebremariam’s appointment on August 5, following a comprehensive selection process overseen by a dedicated board committee. He brings nearly four decades of experience from Ethiopian Airlines Group, including more than 11 years as its CEO. He currently serves as a Senior Strategic Advisor to Delta Air Lines, as well as to the IFC and World Bank Group.
The leadership transition comes as part of a broader period of change at Air India. Tata Group took over the airline from the Indian government in January 2022, with Singapore Airlines subsequently acquiring a 25.1% stake in the carrier. Separately, Tata Sons Chairman N Chandrasekaran announced earlier this week that he would step down when his current term concludes on February 20, 2027.
