Tewolde Gebremariam, a former group leader of Ethiopian Airlines, was named CEO and managing director of Air India on Wednesday.
Gebremariam takes over for Campbell Wilson, who had been in charge of Air India since July 2022 after the airline was acquired by the Tata group. Wilson announced his departure on April 7.
Gebremariam was appointed after a committee of Air India's board of directors conducted a worldwide search and assessed both internal and external applicants.
"The board's goal was to find a leader with a track record of managing large-scale airline turnarounds, providing operational excellence, cultivating a strong culture of safety and service, and driving profitable expansion," according to Air India.
Additionally, weeks prior to Gebremariam's appointment, Pakistani media reported that he had been chosen to head the recently privatized Pakistan International Airlines (PIA).

That option is eliminated by Air India's declaration on Wednesday.
For over ten years, Gebremariam oversaw the Ethiopian Airlines group, turning it into the biggest airline conglomerate in Africa.
Under his direction, Ethiopian Airlines' fleet almost tripled and its yearly income rose from roughly $1 billion to $4.5 billion.
According to Air India, he has a great deal of experience constructing world-class maintenance, repair, and overhaul facilities, building global hub operations, maintaining high safety standards, and growing long-haul international networks.
Gebremariam said, "It is a profound honor to be entrusted with leading Air India at such a historic moment in its journey," upon accepting the position. The chance to create a top-tier international airline that embodies India's remarkable economic potential is particularly thrilling, and Air India has an amazing legacy.

According to Air India, Gebremariam's appointment details and the schedule for the leadership changeover will be revealed eventually.
According to N Chandrasekaran, Air India has finished the first phase of its transition and is now moving on to a new phase.
"Air India is now entering a crucial execution and expansion age after completing the first phase of stabilization, integration, and fleet commitments under Campbell's direction. Tewolde is especially qualified to manage Air India because of his history of creating one of the most successful and efficient airline businesses in the world," the chairman stated.
"As we establish Air India as a premier global carrier and a source of national pride, his operational expertise, commitment to safety, and vision for hub development will be instrumental," he continued.

According to reports, Wilson told Chandrasekaran in 2024 that he intended to resign in 2026. His contract stated that he would be in office until 2027.
In 1985, Gebremariam began working for Ethiopian Airlines as a traffic officer. He worked for the airline for almost forty years before retiring in 2022 due to health issues.
He had operational and commercial leadership positions in North America, Saudi Arabia, and India throughout that time before rising to the positions of group chief executive in 2011 and chief operating officer in 2006.
Wilson was in charge of a record aircraft order, the introduction of a new brand identity, the start of fleet refurbishment initiatives, the merging of Air India with Vistara, and the integration of Air India Express and AIX Connect.

Wilson "successfully oversaw complex merger and integration processes, initiated massive fleet modernization programmes, established new corporate governance standards, and laid the foundations that were necessary for the future," according to Air India, which thanked him for his efforts.
In addition to continuing to invest in staff training and operational dependability, Air India stated that its priorities under the new CEO would be to improve on-time performance, modernize aircraft cabins, improve passenger experience, and increase international connectivity.