Pakistan International Airlines Selects New Chief Executive Officer

Pakistan International Airlines has chosen Adrian Hamilton-Manns as its new CEO, pending final clearance and administrative steps.

NationPulse Desk

Oct 16, 2026 · 6:31 PM 1 min read

Key takeaways

Pakistan International Airlines has selected Adrian Hamilton-Manns as its new CEO, pending formal clearance.

Hamilton-Manns previously served as chief executive officer of SalamAir from July 2024 to September 2026.

An Arif Habib-led consortium took management control of the airline in June 2026 following privatization.

Air India appointed former Ethiopian Airlines CEO Tewolde Gebremariam in July 2026 after he was previously considered for the PIA role.

Pakistan International Airlines has reportedly selected Adrian Hamilton-Manns, who previously ran Oman-based SalamAir, to take over as chief executive officer, pending formal clearance and related procedures according to Samaa TV.

Originally from New Zealand, Hamilton-Manns directed SalamAir starting in July 2024 through September 2026, and previously managed the low-cost carrier FlyArystan in Kazakhstan before taking that Omani airline post.

Commercial aviation businesses and airline operations form part of his background experience.

The national carrier is advancing its post-privatization transformation as this selection takes place, following an Arif Habib-led consortium assuming management control in June 2026 after the privatization concluded.

Tewolde Gebremariam, former CEO of Ethiopian Airlines, was previously under consideration for the top post by the Arif Habib-led consortium, but that potential appointment did not happen.

Speculation regarding a move to Pakistan International Airlines ended when Air India revealed Gebremariam as its CEO in July 2026.

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