Tewolde Gebremariam

Tewolde GebreMariam Tesfay was appointed Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Air India, succeeding Campbell Wilson. During his decade-plus tenure as CEO of Ethiopian Airlines Group, he spearheaded a multi-billion-dollar expansion, transforming a regional carrier into Africa's largest, most profitable, and decorated airline group—growing revenue by more than fourfold and fleet size nearly threefold. Under his leadership, annual turnover increased from US$1 billion to US$4.5 billion, its fleet grew from 33 to 130 aircraft, and annual passenger numbers rose from 3 million to 12 million before the COVID-19 pandemic.

His unique strength lies in managing complex operational landscapes, driving cultural transformation, building competitive global hubs, and developing world-class MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul) and aviation training infrastructure. His tenure at Ethiopian Airlines was marked by the development of Addis Ababa as a major international aviation hub connecting Africa with destinations across the world.

Education

Tewolde GebreMariam holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from Addis Ababa University and a Master of Business Administration degree from the Open University in the United Kingdom. He has also received an honorary doctorate from Addis Ababa University in 2019.

Career History

• Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Air India (2026–present)
• Senior Strategic Advisor, Delta Air Lines (post-2022) and Founder, TGM Advisory Services LLC
• Group Chief Executive Officer, Ethiopian Airlines Group (January 2011–March 2022)
• Chief Operating Officer, Ethiopian Airlines (July 2006–2011)
• Executive Officer of Marketing & Sales, Ethiopian Airlines (2004–2006)

He had worked for Ethiopian Airlines since 1985, including in marketing and sales, as chief operating officer, and in overseas roles covering India, Saudi Arabia, and North America.

What Tewolde Gebremariam could bring to Air India: Gebremariam's proven track record of scaling regional carriers into global competitors positions him to accelerate Air India's evolution from turnaround mode into sustained, profitable international expansion. His expertise in hub development, safety-focused operational transformation, and workforce culture-building directly addresses Air India's post-merger integration challenges and recovery from recent safety incidents. His experience managing complex geopolitical headwinds—including the 737 MAX crisis—suggests readiness to navigate current airspace restrictions and competitive pressures facing Indian aviation.