NEW DELHI – Air India has named former Ethiopian Airlines Group chief executive Tewolde Gebremariam CEO and managing director, succeeding Campbell Wilson, as the Tata Group-owned carrier enters the next phase of its turnaround.

The airline said Wednesday that its board unanimously selected Gebremariam following a global search for a leader with experience in large-scale airline restructuring, operational performance and profitable growth.

Gebremariam led Ethiopian for more than a decade, overseeing a major expansion that transformed the carrier into Africa’s largest airline group by revenue and fleet size.

“It is a profound honour to be entrusted with leading Air India at such a historic moment in its journey,” Gebremariam said in a statement issued by the airline. “Air India carries an incredible legacy, and the opportunity to build a world-class global airline that reflects India’s extraordinary economic potential is uniquely exciting.”

Air India Chairman N. Chandrasekaran said the airline had completed its initial stabilization and integration phase under Wilson and was now focused on execution and expansion.

“Tewolde’s track record in building one of the world’s most efficient and profitable airline groups makes him uniquely suited to lead Air India,” Chandrasekaran said.

“His operational expertise, commitment to safety, and vision for hub development will be instrumental as we establish Air India as a premier global carrier.”

The airline said Gebremariam’s experience in expanding long-haul networks, developing hub operations and improving operational reliability would support its growth strategy.

Air India said details of Gebremariam’s onboarding and the leadership transition timeline will be announced later.

The carrier currently operates 198 aircraft and has ordered 570 new Airbus and Boeing jets as part of a multibillion-dollar fleet renewal and expansion program.