NEW DELHI: Air India on Wednesday announced former Ethiopian Airlines group CEO Tewolde Gebremariam as its next CEO and MD, succeeding Campbell Wilson.Gebremariam had spent over 36 years in Africa’s largest airline, where he served in various roles, including as regional director for India and South Asia in 1995-96, before quitting the group in March 2022 to become a senior strategic adviser to US carrier Delta. Incidentally, Pakistan International Airlines had also selected Gebremariam as CEO.
Pakistan International Airlines also wanted Gebremariam as head
Pakistan International Airlines, which was privatised last December and the new majority stakeholder is trying to revive it, had also selected Gebremariam, given his contribution in making Ethiopian emerge as Africa’s largest airline.The Tata Group, which is trying to revive Air India and Air India Express after acquiring it in Jan 2022, has managed to steal the march on PIA in getting the former Ethiopian boss.Subject to getting all required approvals, which should not be an issue as Ethiopia is a friendly country unlike a Turkish national Tatas had chosen soon after taking over Air India, and who did not get security clearance, Gebremariam could join next month, taking over from current incumbent Campbell Wilson.While Air India’s attempted turnaround is the most difficult one in contemporary aviation due to challenges like legacy issues compounded by post-Covid supply chain constraints and airspace constraints, the AI 171 crash last June has made matters worse for the Maharaja. The airline lost almost Rs 23,000 crore last fiscal, and this year is also proving to be a tough one for all airlines globally.In such a situation, Air India says its board had to “identify a leader with a proven record of managing mega-scale airline turnarounds, delivering operational excellence, fostering a strong culture of safety and service, and driving profitable expansion…. Gebremariam possesses the ideal combination of leadership, deep operational expertise and strategic execution capability required for Air India’s next phase of growth.”N Chandrasekaran, chairman of Tata Sons and Air India, said: “Having completed the initial phase of stabilisation, integration, and fleet commitments under Campbell’s guidance, Air India is now entering a critical execution and expansion era. Tewolde’s track record in building one of the world’s most efficient and profitable airline groups makes him uniquely suited to lead Air India.”Tewolde Gebremariam said, “Air India carries an incredible legacy, and the opportunity to build a world-class global airline that reflects India’s extraordinary economic potential is uniquely exciting. I look forward to working closely with chairman Chandrasekaran, the board, our employees, and all government and industry partners to deliver exceptional operational reliability, warm Indian hospitality, and sustained long-term growth.”