Tewolde Gebremariam, the former chief of Ethiopian Airlines, opened Monday’s Town Hall in New Delhi by declaring safety, reliability and profitability as the three pillars that will guide Air India forward. He emphasized that every crew member and cabin crew must feel empowered to flag concerns without fear, saying, "When you see something wrong, say something," he added.
The announcement came as the airline’s losses have widened, and its reputation has been dented by the June Ahmedabad crash and a recent Phuket‑Delhi incident that saw a pilot dismissed after a failed drug test.
External pressures compound the challenge: airspace closures in Pakistan, rising crude prices, a weak rupee and global uncertainty are common to all Indian carriers.
Gebremariam also reminded employees that the Tata Group acquired Air India in January 2022, a change that has already seen 24,000 staff members re‑engage with the airline’s mission.
He cited India’s demographic dividend, economic growth, geographic position and overseas diaspora as a "unique foundation" for future success, echoing the model he used to transform Ethiopian Airlines into a profitable carrier.
His appointment will only be finalized after the Ministry of Civil Aviation clears him, with the board slated to review the decision next week.