Tewolde Gebremariam takes over as Air India CEO amid safety and reliability push

New CEO Tewolde Gebremariam is taking over a very different Air India from the one Campbell Wilson inherited in 2022. The airline has more aircraft, more resources and bigger ambitions, not to forget, much higher expectations.

Tewolde Gebremariam is set to steer Air India toward revitalization, pledging to restore its former glory. Safety and operational excellence will take center stage, as emphasized by both Gebremariam and Chairman N Chandrasekaran. The ongoing transformation aims for financial sustainability, encouraging employees to enhance cost efficiency and foster a robust safety culture.

Incoming CEO says safety, operational excellence and customer experience will be key priorities as airline enters next phase of transformation

Air India’s incoming chief executive officer and managing director Tewolde Gebremariam has identified safety, operational efficiency and rebuilding customer confidence as his key priorities as he prepares to take charge of the Tata Group-owned airline.Gebremariam addressed employees at a town hall meeting alongside Air India chairman N Chandrasekaran and outgoing CEO Campbell Wilson before formally assuming his role after receiving regulatory approvals. He described joining Air India as a significant opportunity, saying the airline carries a historic legacy and remains one of the world’s recognised aviation brands.The 61-year-old former Ethiopian Airlines CEO is credited with transforming Ethiopian Airlines into one of Africa’s largest and most successful carriers. Recalling Air India’s reputation during his earlier years in Mumbai, Gebremariam said he wants to restore the airline’s global standing.One team. One vision. One journey ahead.Led by Air India Chairman N. Chandrasekaran, employees came together at a town hall to welcome Air India's new CEO, Tewolde Gebremariam, alongside outgoing CEO Campbell Wilson, marking the next chapter in Air India's transformation… pic.twitter.com/jjXW2esTp6— Air India Newsroom (@AirIndia_News) September 7, 2026 Safety to remain top priority under new leadershipGebremariam said building a strong safety culture would be his foremost focus, particularly as Air India faces increased scrutiny following recent incidents. The airline has been under pressure after a Phuket-Delhi flight experienced a sudden altitude loss in August and following the Ahmedabad crash that claimed 260 lives.He said employees should feel empowered to report concerns and stop operations whenever they believe safety standards are compromised.“A safety-first culture has to be our number one priority,” Gebremariam said, adding that safety principles must be followed consistently across the organisation.Focus on reliability and customer experienceThe incoming CEO also highlighted the importance of improving operational performance, including punctual departures, baggage handling and aircraft cleanliness. He said customer satisfaction depends on reliable execution and effective handling of disruptions. Air India chairman N Chandrasekaran said the airline’s next phase of transformation must focus on safety, customer trust, operational discipline and cost efficiency. He acknowledged challenges faced by the airline over the past 18 months, including geopolitical disruptions, airspace restrictions, fuel price volatility and the AI171 accident.Chandrasekaran said Air India must aim to achieve safety standards that are better than the world’s leading airlines through stronger processes, compliance and accountability.The leadership transition comes as Air India continues its turnaround efforts. The airline reported a loss of around Rs 26,800 crore for FY26 and has also faced delays in aircraft induction, adding pressure on its transformation strategy.

Mumbai | New Delhi: Tewolde Gebremariam will take charge of Air India on Monday, replacing former chief executive Campbell Wilson at a time when the airline is under pressure to improve safety and operational reliability and stem losses, people aware of the development said.While the former chief of Ethiopian Airlines will not be officially designated CEO and accountable manager yet because his security clearance is pending, Air India chairman N Chandrasekaran is expected to introduce him to employees at a town hall on Monday, marking the beginning of operational charge, the people said. Gebremariam's security clearance is expected by month-end.Also Read: Air India terminates Phuket-Delhi flight pilot after testing positive for drugsAir India did not comment.Chandrasekaran and former Air India chairman and managing director Pradeep Singh Kharola, who have been guiding Gebremariam since he joined the Tata airline early last month, will continue to work closely with him in the initial few months, officials close to the matter said.Considerable AutonomyGebremariam takes over as Air India faces multiple challenges including large losses, fresh funding requirements and heightened scrutiny over safety. The airline posted a loss of over ₹26,000 crore for FY26 and has sought ₹10,000 crore in fresh equity infusion from its owners, Tata Sons and Singapore Airlines.The new head will be given considerable autonomy to do what it takes to put the airline on safe and sustainable ground, officials close to the matter said. He is expected to take a hard look at the way the airline operates, identify gaps and move quickly to address them.Also Read: Singapore government won’t interfere in decisions on Air IndiaGebremariam had already interacted with departmental heads last month and stressed the need for improvement, particularly in engineering and safety matters and yield.The airline has been facing intense safety scrutiny after the fatal Ahmedabad crash, which killed over 270 people in June last year. On August 4, around 20 passengers and four crew members were injured when a Phuket-Delhi flight suffered a sudden loss of altitude. Air India dismissed the captain of the aircraft on Friday after the preliminary investigation said he was tested "non-negative" for a psychoactive substance in a confirmatory test. Besides safety, Gebremariam is expected to sharpen the focus on consistency in operations, adherence to procedures and improving the airline's overall reliability.A key area of focus will be engineering and maintenance capability.The new CEO brings extensive experience in building operational and engineering capabilities from his tenure at Ethiopian Airlines, and is expected to strengthen Air India's technical organisation and maintenance systems as the airline prepares to operate a significantly larger fleet.Senior officials said they expect Gebremariam to rejig teams or restructure their function where necessary to improve execution, sharpen accountability, and drive operational efficiency. "We expect that quite a few senior executives may leave as the new CEO will bring in fresh faces," an Air India employee said on the condition of anonymity.Financial discipline will be another important part of his mandate. Alongside the focus on growth and fleet expansion, Gebremariam has been asked to keep a close watch on cash, costs and profitability, strengthen the leadership pipeline and create a high-performance culture with greater accountability across functions, people cited above said.Monday's town hall is likely to set the tone for the new CEO's tenure and underline the airline's renewed emphasis on safety, operational excellence, customer experience and financial discipline, they said.