Pakistan International Airlines has narrowed down their options to Tewolde Gebremariam, who once headed the Ethiopian Airlines Group, for the position of their CEO, according to Bloomberg reports from Friday. Appointment of Tewolde Gebremariam as PIA new CEO would mean that the most renowned turnaround specialists from the aviation sector is coming to work at Pakistan‘s beleaguered national carrier.
The Arif Habib-headed consortium, which holds majority ownership of PIA after its privatization, hopes to make the announcement official by Sunday, though the process is still awaiting formalities.
Tewolde Gebremariam: Who Is He?
It is evident that the PIA new CEO Tewolde Gebremariam shortlist will bring one of Africa’s best airline CEOs right in the middle of what is probably the biggest decision Pakistan’s aviation industry has had in decades.
Under the management of Gebremariam, Ethiopian Airlines evolved from being just another airline company of Africa to become Africa’s biggest and most successful airline company in recent times.
The comparison between PIA’s situation and that of Ethiopian Airlines is not hard to make. Ethiopian Airlines used to be an unprofitable national airline flying in a tough environment and without much capital—just the way PIA currently is on the verge of privatization. Gebremariam has been able to make Ethiopian Airlines profitable and growing. The Arif Habib group has staked everything on him doing the same to PIA.
Relevance of this Appointment
The selection of the new CEO of PIA, Tewolde Gebremariam, would matter more than just an appointment of one CEO because:
It would send out a message of credibility to the market. Appointing a CEO of the caliber of Gebremariam would tell the market that the Arif Habib consortium is sincere about changing the operations of PIA and not just making a change in the management of the company.
Proven operational ability on the appropriate scale. The airline runs a similar-sized fleet to one PIA could realistically look to rebuild – allowing Gebremariam proven experience of overseeing the logistics, business connections and intricacies of running an airline that a PIA turnaround would need.
Independent management. A respected aviation professional, unencumbered by any previous involvement with PIA’s institutional past, is someone who can come in with the blank slate credentials often needed for a turnaround.
ALSO READ: Airblue Becomes Pakistan’s First 100% Cashless Airline
Privatisation Process of PIA – The Background
The process of shortlisting of the PIA new CEO, Mr. Tewolde Gebremariam, is part of the human resource element in a privatisation process which has been in the works for years now.
The Arif Habib Group has won the bid for 75 percent of shares in the PIA, offering Rs135 billion or 35 percent more than the price quoted by the government, and has promised to invest Rs80 billion more on future investment. By April 2026, the shareholders of the PIA Holding Company officially completed the sale of 75 percent stake. On April 30, 2026, the consortium started the process of acquiring 25 percent of the stake.
What’s Next
The announcement of PIA new CEO Tewolde Gebremariam is expected to take place on Sunday, pending the completion of due process. In case this happens, there will be high hopes for the turnaround of PIA.
The challenges facing Gebremariam in his new role would be difficult a loss-making airline to the tune of hundreds of billions of rupees, aging aircraft, broken relationships with other airlines abroad and a history of unreliability that has seen passengers go to other airlines. Ethiopian Airlines was not transformed overnight. But it was – through such a capable leader.
