Air India Chairman Reaffirms Vision, Incoming CEO Vows to “Make Air India Great Again

MUMBAI:
Air India Chairman N Chandrasekaran, outgoing CEO & MD Campbell Wilson, and incoming CEO & MD Tewolde Gebremariam addressed employees at a townhall, marking a significant leadership transition for the airline.

Thanking employees for their contribution over the past four years, Chandrasekaran described Air India as a unique institution that occupies a special place in the hearts of Indians around the world. “For me, bringing Air India back to the Tata Group is one of the most important milestones of my career, a very, very significant event. Air India belongs to a billion people. It is not just another business,” he said.

Chandrasekaran acknowledged that the past 18 months had been particularly challenging for the airline, citing geopolitical disruptions, airspace closures, fuel volatility and the tragic AI171 accident. Looking ahead, he said the airline’s next phase must focus on safety, customer trust, operational execution and cost discipline. “The most important thing Air India should aspire to have is trust in the minds of people,” he said. “Air India must be known for caring about safety above everything else. Our safety record should not just match the best airlines in the world; it should be better than the best. Safety is not about what we say. It is about what we do every day.”

He also called for greater consistency in customer experience and stronger agility in responding to a rapidly changing operating environment, and urged employees to help build a culture of cost consciousness. Chandrasekaran thanked outgoing CEO & MD Campbell Wilson for leading one of the most important phases in Air India’s history and for helping build the foundations for its future success.

Incoming CEO & MD Tewolde Gebremariam thanked the Chairman, the Board and shareholders for the opportunity to lead Air India at a pivotal moment. “It is a special honour for me to join Air India at this historic stage of its transformation journey. I understand that Air India is not just another airline. It is one of the world’s most iconic aviation brands,” he said. Tewolde will assume the role of CEO and MD after all necessary approvals are received.

Recalling his time in Mumbai in the 1990s, when Air India was at the top of the industry, Tewolde said he was excited about the opportunity ahead. “Air India has a powerful heritage, a strong brand and enormous potential. If we do the right things at the right time, the sky is the limit. I am coming from the US so allow me to borrow a phrase, MAGA. We will Make Air India Great Again,” he said.

Tewolde named safety as his foremost priority. “A safety-first culture has to be our number one priority. It is not enough to say it. We must live it every day. If something is not right, stop. Every employee should feel empowered to raise concerns, and I will support that culture,” he said. On operational excellence, he added: “It is about getting the basics right every day: on-time departures, on-time arrivals, baggage delivery and clean aircraft. Customer experience is a function of operational excellence.”

Acknowledging the progress made under the outgoing leadership, Tewolde said, “A great deal of heavy lifting and foundational work has already been done. I would like to thank the Chairman, Campbell and the entire Air India team for creating that foundation.” He concluded by seeking employees’ partnership in the airline’s next chapter: “I need your support and cooperation. We cannot bring about meaningful change without the commitment of our people. Together, we can build a safer, stronger and truly world-class Air India.”

In his remarks, Campbell Wilson thanked the Chairman, the Board and employees for their support through the transformation journey. “Most importantly, I would like to acknowledge all Air Indians whose commitment, resilience and hard work have made this transformation possible,” he said. Wilson noted that the transformation was not yet complete but expressed confidence in the road ahead: “Air India’s best days are still ahead. I want to assure you I will remain Air India’s biggest cheerleader from the sidelines.” Welcoming his successor, he added, “Tewolde is a proven airline leader with deep industry experience, and I know he will take Air India forward with great success.