Air India's New CEO Was About To Lead Pakistan's PIA. Then Everything Changed
News india Air India's New CEO Was About To Lead Pakistan's PIA. Then Everything Changed Air India's New CEO Was About To Lead Pakistan's PIA
News india Air India's New CEO Was About To Lead Pakistan's PIA. Then Everything Changed Air India's New CEO Was About To Lead Pakistan's PIA. Then Everything Changed Published By, Last Updated: August 06, 2026, 14:29 IST Instead of joining Pakistan's PIA, Tewolde Gebremariam was appointed CEO and Managing Director of Air India. CEO and Managing Director of Air India Tewolde Gebremariam. (Photo: X) Air India’s newly appointed Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Tewolde Gebremariam, was reportedly close to taking charge of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) before the Tata Group-owned carrier secured his appointment. The former Ethiopian Airlines chief had been identified as the preferred candidate to lead PIA following its privatisation, but the appointment was never formally announced. PIA was awaiting security clearances Reports in July had suggested that Tewolde was selected to head Pakistan International Airlines as it prepared for a post-privatisation turnaround. PIA’s management had been transferred to a consortium led by the Arif Habib Group.
Bloomberg reported that Tewolde had been shortlisted for the top position, while Arab News, quoting unnamed sources, said the airline was waiting for mandatory security clearances before making the appointment public. A senior PIA official told Arab News that the airline would not announce his name until all security clearances had been completed. A major shareholder described Tewolde as “a very capable person" who had successfully led airline turnarounds. According to the reports, he was expected to oversee PIA’s revival through fleet modernisation, network expansion and operational reforms after its privatisation. Air India moved first Instead of joining Pakistan’s national carrier, Tewolde was appointed CEO and Managing Director of Air India after what the airline described as a global search for a leader with experience in large-scale airline transformation, operational excellence, safety management and profitable expansion. Air India Chairman N. Chandrasekaran said Tewolde’s track record in building one of the world’s most efficient and profitable airline groups made him uniquely qualified to lead Air India.
He said Tewolde’s operational expertise, emphasis on safety and experience in developing aviation hubs would play an important role as Air India entered its next phase of growth under the Tata Group. Who is Tewolde Gebremariam? Tewolde served as Chief Executive Officer of Ethiopian Airlines Group from 2011 until his retirement in March 2022. During his leadership, Ethiopian Airlines grew into Africa’s largest airline group by expanding its fleet, international route network and maintenance capabilities. The airline also strengthened Addis Ababa’s position as one of Africa’s leading aviation hubs while improving profitability and global competitiveness. He retired in 2022, citing health reasons, after spending nearly four decades with Ethiopian Airlines. Accepting his new role, Tewolde said it was “a profound honour" to lead Air India during a historic phase in its transformation. He said he looked forward to delivering “exceptional operational reliability, warm Indian hospitality, and sustained long-term growth." Air India said the leadership change marked its transition from a stabilisation phase to a new stage focused on profitability, global expansion, improved passenger experience and stronger international connectivity.
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