Air India Appoints Tewolde Gebremariam as CEO and MD

Air India appointed Tewolde Gebremariam as its Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director on 5 August 2026. He will succeed Campbell Wilson, whose resignation took effect in April 2026 and whose departure is scheduled for 30 September 2026.

Air India Leadership Structure

Air India is a scheduled Indian airline and a Tata Group company. The Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director is the top executive post responsible for airline management, network planning, operations, and corporate strategy. The appointment was made by the Air India Board of Directors after a global search that considered internal and international candidates.

Tewolde Gebremariam: Career Profile

Tewolde Gebremariam served as Chief Executive Officer of Ethiopian Airlines Group for more than a decade. Ethiopian Airlines Group is the flag carrier of Ethiopia and one of Africa’s largest airline groups. During his tenure, the airline group expanded into Africa’s largest and most profitable aviation group.

Ethiopian Airlines Group: Key Facts

Ethiopian Airlines Group is headquartered in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and operates a major hub at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport. The group is known for long-haul connectivity across Africa, Europe, Asia, and the Americas. Under Gebremariam’s leadership, the group’s revenue grew more than fourfold, and its fleet nearly tripled in size.

Important Facts for Exams

• Air India was founded in 1932 as Tata Airlines and later became Air India.
• Campbell Wilson became Air India’s CEO and MD in 2022.
• The Tata Group acquired Air India in 2022 through Talace Private Limited.
• Ethiopian Airlines is one of the oldest airlines in Africa and is a member of Star Alliance.

Executive Role in Aviation

The CEO and MD of an airline oversees fleet utilisation, route expansion, safety compliance, and financial performance. Airline boards often use global searches for senior appointments in large carriers with international operations.