Air India appoints Tewolde Gebremariam as new CEO:Move comes as Phuket-Delhi flight hit turbulence causing passenger injuries

Air India has appointed former Ethiopian Airlines Group chief Tewolde Gebremariam as CEO and Managing Director. The Tata Group’s airline’s move has come as a Phuket-Delhi flight hit turbulence, causing passenger injuries. Tewolde Gebremariam succeeds Campbell Wilson, who resigned as Air India CEO and MD in April this year. In a release, Air India said it rigorously evaluated internal as well as highly accomplished external candidates from across the world before deciding on Gebremariam. The appointment comes at a crucial time when the loss-making Air India is working on expansion amid multiple external headwinds. Gebremariam has served as the CEO of Ethiopian Airlines Group, where he spearheaded a multi-billion-dollar expansion, transforming a regional carrier into Africa’s largest and most profitable airline, the release said. Phuket flight incident An Air India flight from Phuket to New Delhi had experienced mid-air turbulence on Tuesday and many people onboard suffered injuries. The aircraft had suddenly lost 300 feet in altitude. Air India had said its flight AI2379, operating from Phuket to Delhi, experienced a brief in-flight turbulence-related event during cruise, resulting in a momentary change in altitude. Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu along with Civil Aviation Secretary Samir Kumar Sinha and DGCA Director General Vir Vikram Yadav had visited Fortis Hospital in the national capital to enquire about the condition of the injured passengers. Air India on Wednesday said 13 passengers who sustained injuries in the incident were discharged from the hospital. ​