Tewolde Gebremariam Takes Charge as Air India CEO, Marking a Rare Foreign Leadership Bet
Tewolde Gebremariam has assumed charge as chief executive officer and managing director of Air India, becoming only the second foreign national to lead the loss-making carrier. His appointment comes at a critical moment for the airline, which faces the dual challenge of restoring operational discipline and improving financial performance in a highly competitive aviation market. The move signals a deliberate attempt to bring global airline management experience into one of India’s most politically and commercially sensitive state-linked enterprises, with expectations now centered on turnaround execution rather than symbolism.
