Tewolde Gebremariam, CEO, Air India
Ethiopian Airlines faced it’s toughest test in March 2019 following a fatal air crash involving a Boeing 737 Max aircraft that also raised questions about pilot training.As the airline came under scrutiny, group CEO Tewolde Gebremariam put out a message dispelling the doubts related to its training standards.“In a nation that is sometimes saddled with negative stereotypes, accidents like this affect our sense of pride. Yet this tragedy won’t define us,” he wrote.It didn’t. Ethiopian Airlines grew its network, increased revenue and made a profit too, albeit smaller one compared to the previous financial year. The airline also began drafting a Vision 2035 document.Gebremariam, who led Ethiopian Airlines from 2011-2022, was on Wednesday named as Air India’s new chief executive officer. He replaces incumbent Campbell Wilson. Proven RecordAn economic and a business administration graduate, Gebremariam rose from the ranks to occupy the top post in Ethiopian Airlines. He has worked in India before serving as the airline’s regional director before taking up assignments in Saudi Arabia and the US.“Tewolde was part of the executive team under former CEO Girma Wake that developed Ethiopian’s “Vision 2025” long-term plan in the late 2000s. He then executed on the plan after he took over as CEO in 2011 and nearly quadrupled the airline revenues in the decade that followed,” said Sean Mendis, an aviation consultant who has worked in senior roles in various African airlines.Ethiopian Airlines emerged as the largest airline in Africa under his tenure doubling it’s destinations to 128. Annual revenue grew from $1 billion to $5 billion and airline posted a net profit of $1 billion in 2022.Gebremariam stepped down in 2022 citing health reasons. According to his LinkedIn profile, he runs a consultancy service and also serves as a strategic advisor for Delta Airlines.Currently, Ethiopian Airlines has a fleet of 170 aircraft and flies to 145 destinations. Ethiopian Airlines Group has developed an aviation ecosystem and runs an aviation university, maintenance repair facility and a five star hotel. Since 2017, Ethiopian Airlines Group also consists an airports company that constructs and manages airports in Ethiopia.Highly Respected“Gebremariam is highly respected aviation leader. He took a relatively small airline, in a low-income economy with limited OD (origin-destination) traffic, and grew it into a recognised hub carrier which is the largest and most profitable in Africa. His experience in driving growth while remaining efficient and financially viable in challenging, emerging markets, will serve him well as will his familiarity with Star Alliance,” said Binit Somaia, Director of aviation consultancy CAPA India.At Air India, Gebremariam will have work cut out. In the past four years, Air India has spruced up its aircraft, invested in training and maintenance and grown it’s revenue. Yet, the airline has been a biggest loss maker for the Tata group clocking a net loss of over ₹22,238 crore in FY26. Airspace closures and tough cost environment continue to be hobble the company .Mendis thinks the Ethiopian Airlines former group CEO has the qualities to lead Air India. “Tewolde has solid background and knowledge in commercial, operations and finance so has the ability to hold his own on any of these subjects. He’s also a master negotiator who is able to achieve his objectives with a smile,” Mendis added.Published on August 6, 2026
