The new Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Air India, Tewolde Gebremariam, addressed the airline's employees, calling for cooperation and support to reduce any operational disruptions. He emphasized that Air India's strong legacy and recognizable brand provide it with enormous potential to regain its former standing.
During his first address to the staff on Monday, Gebremariam noted the airline's powerful legacy, strong brand, and significant potential. He stated: 'If we do the right things at the right time, the sky is the limit.'
Gebremariam's appointment as CEO and Managing Director of Air India was announced on August 5th following a thorough search overseen by a special board of directors committee. He has nearly forty years of experience with Ethiopian Airlines Group, including over 11 years as its CEO.
Addressing the employees on Monday, he mentioned arriving from the USA and expressed his intention to 'Make Air India great again (MAGA)'. Gebremariam recalled his time working in Mumbai in the 1990s when Air India was at the peak of the industry, stating that he now has the opportunity to transform it into a strong brand once more.
He also stressed that a safety-oriented culture must be the top priority and highlighted the need to minimize disruptions. In the event of incidents, he said they should be handled professionally while caring for customers. He appealed to the staff: 'I need your support and cooperation. We cannot achieve significant change without the commitment of our people.'
Gebremariam will begin fulfilling his duties as CEO and Managing Director after receiving the necessary approvals. The staff was also addressed by Air India Chairman N Chandrasekaran and outgoing CEO and Managing Director Campbell Wilson. Wilson assured that the best days for Air India are yet to come and emphasized that he will remain the airline's biggest supporter.