Air India CEO Tewolde Gebremariam gets security clearance, to take charge on October 1

Air India’s incoming Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director Tewolde Gebremariam has received the required security clearance and is set to formally take charge of the Tata Group-owned airline on Thursday, marking the beginning of a new leadership phase as the carrier pushes ahead with its expansion and transformation plans.

An Air India spokesperson confirmed that the Ethiopian national has received the security clearance. Gebremariam’s appointment was announced by the airline’s board on August 5 following a global search for a successor to Campbell Wilson, who stepped down from the top post earlier this year.

Gebremariam will become only the second foreign CEO and MD to lead Air India. He brings more than three decades of experience at Ethiopian Airlines, including 11 years as its group chief executive. He had also served as a strategic adviser to Delta Air Lines.

His arrival comes at a crucial juncture for Air India, which is undertaking an ambitious fleet and network expansion while navigating several challenges facing the global aviation industry. The airline is also progressing with the Tata Group’s broader efforts to transform and integrate its aviation businesses.

Ahead of his formal assumption of office, Gebremariam held a town hall with Air India employees on September 28, outlining the priorities that will shape his initial strategy. He emphasised that cost discipline needs to become embedded in the airline’s organisational culture, while identifying sustainable profitability, safety and operational reliability as key focus areas.

Gebremariam is also expected to examine opportunities to improve both revenue generation and cost efficiency. Areas identified for potential revenue enhancement include Air India’s international network, commercial operations and cargo business.

To encourage greater employee participation in the cost-efficiency drive, he has proposed programmes that would recognise and reward employees for ideas that deliver measurable savings or improve operational efficiency.

Safety and reliability are also expected to receive greater attention under the new leadership. Gebremariam has called for a stronger safety-reporting culture and encouraged employees to flag issues that could potentially affect operational safety.

At the same time, he has stressed that Air India’s growth needs to be supported by adequate preparation across its people, fleet and network, with expansion pursued in a manner that remains profitable and sustainable.

With the security clearance now secured, Gebremariam is poised to formally take over the airline on Thursday and steer Air India through its next phase, with financial discipline, operational reliability and sustainable growth forming the core of his initial agenda.