Air India Board Meets: New CEO's Salary & Vision for a Great Future

Air India is buzzing with change as its board of directors convened on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, in Mumbai. The primary agenda? To smooth the transition for the airline's new leadership, with former Ethiopian Airlines Group chief Tewolde Gebremariam poised to take the reins as MD and CEO later this month.

The high-stakes meeting, chaired by Tata Sons Chairman N. Chandrasekaran, reportedly delved into various crucial matters, including the salary package for the incoming chief. This comes as the current MD and CEO, Campbell Wilson, prepares to step down from his role this month, marking a significant leadership shift for the airline.

Sources indicate that the board members, including independent directors Sanjiv Mehta, Alice G.

Vaidyan, and P.R. Ramesh, alongside non-executive non-independent directors P.B.

Balaji and Goh Choon Phong, were also expected to formally thank Mr. Wilson for his dedicated service. Since July 2022, Mr.

Wilson has been instrumental in piloting Air India's ambitious transformation plan, navigating the airline through challenging times.

The leadership trio, Mr. Chandrasekaran, Mr. Wilson, and Mr.

Gebremariam, were all seen arriving at Bombay House, the iconic headquarters of the Tata Group, underscoring the importance of this transition. Air India, acquired by Tata Group from the government in January 2022, and later seeing Singapore Airlines acquire a 25.1% stake, has been facing an uphill battle.

The airline has grappled with numerous challenges, from the tragic AI171 accident in June last year that claimed 260 lives, to broader industry headwinds like geopolitical disruptions, airspace closures, fluctuating fuel prices, and various operational hurdles.

Amidst these challenges, there's a renewed sense of purpose.

Incoming CEO Tewolde Gebremariam has already set a clear vision.

In his inaugural town hall address on September 7, he rallied the staff with the promise, "we will Make Air India Great Again (MAGA)." He passionately called for the team's support and cooperation, stressing the vital need to minimize disruptions and hone operational excellence by consistently getting the basics right every single day. Echoing this sentiment, Chairman N.

Chandrasekaran at the same town hall emphasized the paramount importance of safety and fostering a robust culture of cost consciousness across the organization. This leadership change signals a fresh chapter for Air India as it strives for revival and excellence.

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