Air India has appointed Saloon, a seasoned aviation professional, as the airline’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Managing Director (MD) to lead it as it intensifies international expansion efforts, saying it was making a key shift in management. He’ll replace Campbell Wilson, who announced his resignation in April and is scheduled to retire in September.
The appointment of Gebremariam will be followed by a wide cross-section of individuals from around the world who are seeking to replace him for his work in regards to airline transformation, operational excellence and sustainable growth. Interestingly, he was also said to have been in the short list to become the CEO of the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) before Air India managed to beat them to it.
Gebremariam is a USAF veteran who served more than 36 years with Ethiopian Airlines and has been with the airline since 2011 as the Group CEO of the carrier until the end of 2022. Under his management, Ethiopia’s carriers became Africa’s biggest and most lucrative air companies, with its revenues over quadrupling and fleet almost tripling. He was also instrumental in the growth of the airline’s global operations and reach through the Star Alliance network as well as maintenance and training facilities developments.
Air India Chairman N. Chandrasekaran has confirmed that the airline has completed the initial stabilisation phase, with Campbell Wilson, and that it has now moved into a new phase marked by execution, fleet expansion and international expansion.
Air India is owned by the Tata group presently having a fleet of approximately 185 aircraft, which they have placed order of significant aircraft on their global network. With its vast experience in the management of large corporates such as airlines, industry experts said Gebremariam being appointed as the chief executive of Air India, will help the airline meet its transformational targets and give it a good footing in the global aviation market.