(Posted 02nd October 2026)
Tewolde Gebremariam, the former Group CEO of Ethiopian Airlines, officially took charge of Air India Limited as Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director on Thursday, October 1, 2026, after receiving the required security clearance, according to reports by the Economic Times and Fortune India, both citing PTI. An Air India spokesperson confirmed the development, according to the reports.
Tewolde’s appointment was announced by Air India’s board on August 5 following a global search for a successor to Campbell Wilson, a New Zealander who had stepped down from the position earlier this year. According to the Economic Times, Tewolde becomes the second foreign national to serve as CEO and MD of Air India Limited.
He brings more than three decades of experience at Ethiopian Airlines, including 11 years as the airline’s group chief executive, and previously served as a strategic adviser to Delta Air Lines.
Ahead of formally assuming office, Tewolde held a town hall with Air India employees on September 28, outlining the priorities that will shape his initial strategy. According to both reports, he said cost discipline must become embedded in the airline’s organisational culture, identifying sustainable profitability, safety, and operational reliability as key focus areas.
Fortune India reported that he plans to introduce programmes recognising and rewarding employees for ideas that deliver measurable cost savings or improve operational efficiency.
According to Fortune India, Tewolde identified Air India’s international network, commercial operations, and cargo business as areas with potential for revenue enhancement.
He has also called for a stronger safety-reporting culture, encouraging employees to flag issues that could affect operational safety, while stressing that the airline’s growth must be supported by adequate preparation across its people, fleet, and network to remain both profitable and sustainable, according to the report.
The town hall remarks follow an earlier report, Tewolde was weighing a proposal to fold budget carrier Air India Express into the parent group as part of a broader cost-cutting drive, having questioned managers across departments about the rationale for operating two airlines under separate operating permits.
That proposal, reported by Bloomberg, remains at an early stage and would require approval from Air India’s supervisory board.
