Air India's new CEO calls for staff unity to restore airline's glory

Gebremariam, who assumed office as CEO and Managing Director after the airline's board completed a comprehensive leadership search, told staff members that Air India possesses valuable assets in its brand reputation and market position. "If we do the right things at the right time, the sky is the limit," he said during the address to employees on Monday.

The 60-year-old executive brings nearly four decades of experience from the aviation sector, having spent most of his career at Ethiopian Airlines Group where he served as CEO for over 11 years. Reflecting on his previous exposure to India's aviation landscape, Gebremariam recalled his time in Mumbai during the 1990s when Air India held a commanding position in the industry.

Gebremariam's appointment was formally announced on August 5 following a detailed selection process overseen by a dedicated board committee. His elevation to the top job marks a significant leadership transition for the national carrier, which has been under the government's ownership restructuring efforts in recent years.

In his address, the new CEO emphasised the importance of establishing a safety-first culture across all operations, signalling his commitment to operational excellence alongside business recovery initiatives.