Tewolde Gebremariam, who is set to become Air India’s new CEO and managing director after regulatory approvals, has reportedly told employees that they will play a central role in the airline’s next phase of transformation.
Speaking at a company-wide townhall, Gebremariam is reported to have said that safety must remain Air India’s top priority and that every employee has a responsibility to protect it. He urged staff to report concerns and potential risks without hesitation, saying a strong reporting culture would help build a stronger safety culture.
His message comes at a sensitive time for Air India, following the AI 171 crash last year and renewed scrutiny of its operational practices. Recent incidents involving a pilot testing positive for drugs and another failing an alcohol breath test have also put employee conduct and safety procedures under the spotlight.
Gebremariam also said employees must become part of the airline’s effort to control costs. Cost management, he stressed, cannot be left only to senior management or the finance team. Even small savings across a workforce of Air India’s size can make a significant difference. The airline plans to introduce programmes that reward employees whose ideas lead to measurable savings or operational improvements.
He said much of the difficult work of Air India’s transformation has already been completed, including the merger with Vistara and the consolidation of its low-cost airlines. The company has also invested heavily in new aircraft, cabin upgrades, technology and hiring for key operational roles.
The next challenge, he said, is to make growth profitable and sustainable. Air India faces high fuel prices, geopolitical uncertainty and airspace restrictions affecting Indian airlines.
Gebremariam is backed by over three decades of experience at Ethiopian Airlines, including 11 years as its group CEO. He is credited with helping turn the airline into Africa’s largest carrier and Addis Ababa into a major aviation hub. He will now lead Air India through the next stage of its transformation, with employees expected to be central to that effort.