Air India names Tewolde Gebremariam as next CEO

Air India’s board named 61-year-old Tewolde Gebremariam, the former Ethiopian Airlines chief, as the carrier’s next CEO, succeeding Campbell Wilson. Wilson’s planned resignation became known in April 2026 after he led the airline since privatization. The board ran a global search of internal and external candidates and said it wanted a record of large airline turnarounds plus operational excellence.

Gebremariam spent more than a decade running Ethiopian Airlines, which grew into Africa’s largest and most profitable airline group on his watch. Air India presented the appointment as the start of a high-growth execution phase after a foundational turnaround and highlighted his long-haul network and hub experience. He said he intends to work with the board on operational reliability and hospitality. Losses have run larger than planned. The airline has been shifting from growth toward cost cutting after a crash and high oil prices.

The change will shape reliability and the cabin product for anyone flying Air India or earning miles on it. Commentary has noted back-to-back expatriate CEOs and a chance that product consistency gets less emphasis than now. Nothing to book, but watch whether Gebremariam improves operations and the onboard product or leans harder into cost cutting.