Gebremariam takes charge as Air India CEO

Tewolde Gebremariam took charge as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Air India on Monday, succeeding the former leader Campbell Wilson. The Tata Group-owned carrier welcomed the new leader in an employee town hall led by Air India Chairman N. Chandrasekaran."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 journey," the airline said.Gebremariam brings extensive experience in building operational and engineering capabilities from his tenure at Ethiopian Airlines, and is expected to strengthen the airline's technical organisation and maintenance systems as it prepares to operate a significantly larger fleet.The leadership change comes at a time when the airline is under pressure to improve safety and operational reliability and stem massive financial losses.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 told ET's Kala Vijayraghavan & Arindam Majumder.The airline posted a loss of over Rs 26,000 crore for FY26 and is now seeking Rs 10,000 crore in fresh equity infusion from its owners, Tata Sons and Singapore Airlines.