Former Ethiopian Airlines Leader Tweolde Gebremariam Appointed CEO of Air India

21 August, Kathmandu – India’s national flag carrier Air India has appointed African aviation veteran Tweolde Gebremariam as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Managing Director. Tweolde will succeed the current CEO, Campbell Wilson.

Tweolde is best known for leading Ethiopian Airlines for over a decade, transforming it from a regional carrier into Africa’s premier airline.

Under his leadership, Ethiopian Airlines’ revenue increased more than fourfold, and its fleet size nearly tripled.

He developed Addis Ababa, Ethiopia’s capital, into a major aviation hub that enabled rapid expansion across Africa and globally during a period when many international airlines were struggling financially.

Tweolde’s strategic leadership allowed Ethiopian Airlines to maintain profitability, earning him recognition as one of the most successful airline managers of his generation worldwide.

Established 80 years ago, Ethiopian Airlines currently operates 170 aircraft serving 161 passenger and 68 cargo destinations. The carrier employs 18,000 staff and reported revenue of 39.67 billion Ethiopian birr in 2024.

Challenges Facing Tweolde at Air India

While he helped Ethiopian Airlines succeed, Tweolde faces complex challenges at Air India. The airline must modernize its fleet, improve operational efficiency and service quality, and rebuild long-neglected customer trust.

Many are closely watching how Tweolde approaches these tasks. Air India has entrusted him with turning around operations, developing a global aviation hub, enhancing safety, and boosting profitability—capacities he demonstrated at Ethiopian Airlines.

Ethiopian Airlines is not only an economic driver for Ethiopia but has also become a significant air transport network across Africa. Despite many competitors relying on government subsidies, Ethiopian Airlines has achieved self-sufficiency through excellent training, cargo services, and aviation infrastructure development.

Tweolde also guided the airline through major crises such as the Boeing 737 Max accidents and the COVID-19 pandemic with effective and organized management. Aviation experts emphasize that such operational discipline is vital for Air India as well.

Now, Tweolde takes charge of Air India, a large carrier with billions invested. He faces the challenge of making this investment more reliable and profitable.

Current State of Air India

Established 93 years ago, Air India had been burdened with excessive debt before being acquired by the Tata Group in 2022.

The airline’s debt of approximately 180 billion INR was paid off, and management rights were acquired for about 220 million USD, transferring ownership to Tata Group, which now holds 74.9% of shares, with Singapore Airlines holding 25.1%.

As India’s national carrier, Air India is run and managed by the private sector Tata Group. It currently operates 189 aircraft serving 87 destinations. In the last fiscal year, the airline experienced a loss of approximately 2 billion USD.

Challenges for Tweolde

Air India has appointed Tweolde as CEO and Managing Director seeking a turnaround. His unmatched achievements at Ethiopian Airlines, where he navigated challenging operating conditions and made the company profitable and globally competitive, underpin this decision.

Under his leadership, Air India will draw on its vast resources, extensive domestic market, strong demand, and Tata Group support. However, challenges remain including operational issues, intense competition from Gulf carriers, and an aging fleet with outdated cabins. For Tweolde, revitalizing Air India is a significant opportunity, but it will not be an easy task.