The Economic Times

Drugs, alcohol, bicycle & losses: The strange to-do list awaiting Air Indias new boss Tewolde Gebremariam

Air Indias incoming CEO Tewolde Gebremariam inherits an airline with global ambitions but an unusually complicated to-do list. Beyond tackling a Rs 22,238 crore loss and securing fresh shareholder funding, he must address maintenance issues, cut costs and tighten operational discipline. Recent incidents involving pilots, alcohol and drugs, an alleged assault, a bomb-hoax probe, an immigration lapse and other service issues have added to the challenge. With hundreds of aircraft on order, Tewoldes task is not simply to grow Air Indias fleet, but to ensure the airline can fund, staff and maintain it while charting a path towards profitability.