Air India chairman N Chandrasekaran has called for greater cost consciousness as incoming CEO Tewolde Gebremariam prioritises safety, reliability and customer trust.
Mumbai: Air India is entering a new phase of its turnaround as chairman N Chandrasekaran calls for greater cost consciousness and incoming CEO Tewolde Gebremariam places safety, operational reliability and customer trust at the centre of his priorities.
Air India chairman N Chandrasekaran has urged employees to develop a stronger culture of “cost consciousness” as the airline works through financial and operational challenges.
Also Read
Speaking at an Air India townhall, Chandrasekaran said every employee could contribute to improving cost efficiency. He identified four priorities for the airline’s next phase: safety, customer trust, operational execution and cost discipline.
Chandrasekaran acknowledged that the past 18 months had been particularly difficult for Air India, citing geopolitical disruptions, airspace closures, fuel-price changes and the AI171 accident among the factors affecting the airline’s performance.
He said the airline needs stronger processes, compliance and accountability, particularly on safety.
New CEO puts safety first
Incoming CEO and managing director Tewolde Gebremariam also addressed Air India employees ahead of formally taking charge, subject to necessary approvals.
The former Ethiopian Airlines chief said safety would be the airline’s “number one priority”. He also called for fewer operational disruptions and said problems should be handled professionally when they occur, with customer care remaining a priority.
Gebremariam asked employees for their support and cooperation, saying meaningful change would require commitment across the organisation.
He also highlighted the importance of operational reliability, including punctuality, baggage handling and aircraft cleanliness.
Gebremariam aims to rebuild Air India's global standing
Gebremariam, who spent nearly four decades with Ethiopian Airlines Group and served as its CEO for more than 11 years, said Air India has a strong heritage, brand and potential.
Recalling his time in Mumbai in the 1990s, he said Air India was then regarded as being at the top of the industry. He said he now has an opportunity to help restore the airline’s position.
In a reference to his ambition for the airline, Gebremariam said they would “Make Air India Great Again”.
Campbell Wilson's tenure comes to an end
The townhall also marked the transition from outgoing CEO and managing director Campbell Wilson to Gebremariam.
Chandrasekaran thanked Wilson for leading Air India through an important period in the airline’s history. Wilson said Air India’s best days were still ahead and indicated that he would continue supporting the airline from outside the organisation.
Air India faces financial and operational pressure
The leadership transition comes as Air India continues its broader transformation under the Tata Group.
The airline has faced financial losses, delays in aircraft induction and operational difficulties while attempting to modernise its fleet and improve its services.
The airline has also faced heightened safety scrutiny following recent incidents, including the AI171 crash in Ahmedabad that killed 260 people and an August incident involving a Phuket-Delhi flight that experienced a sudden altitude loss.
The new leadership will therefore have to balance the airline’s long-term expansion and transformation plans with tighter cost control, safety requirements and efforts to improve customer confidence.
What changes under the new leadership?
The messages from Chandrasekaran and Gebremariam point to a dual focus: financial discipline and operational reliability.
Chandrasekaran's emphasis on cost consciousness reflects the financial pressure facing the airline, while Gebremariam's focus on safety and disruption management signals an effort to strengthen day-to-day operations and customer confidence.
The challenge for Air India will be improving efficiency without compromising safety, service quality or its wider fleet and network expansion plans.
Gebremariam's appointment comes at a sensitive stage in Air India's transformation. The airline is attempting to integrate operations, expand its fleet and improve its position in international aviation while dealing with scrutiny over safety and financial performance.
His experience at Ethiopian Airlines will be closely watched as he takes over the next stage of Air India's turnaround.
Published: 07 Sept 2026, 02:10 pm IST
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Disclaimer: Kindly avoid objectionable, derogatory, unlawful and lewd comments, while responding to reports. Such comments are punishable under cyber laws. Please keep away from personal attacks. The opinions expressed here are the personal opinions of readers and not that of Mathrubhumi.