India, Aug. 6 -- A month before being appointed as Air India's next chief executive officer (CEO), Tewolde Gebremariam was very close to taking over the role for Pakistan International Airlines (PIA).

As per a July report by Bloomberg, the Former Ethiopian Airlines chief had been shortlisted to take over as the CEO for PIA. The report added that Gebremariam was considered to boost the airline after its privatisation.

Last month, the Privatisation Commission of Pakistan announced the transfer of PIA's management to the Arif Habib Corporation-led consortium. This was done in order to revive the struggling national carrier after buying a majority stake.

For years, Pakistan's national airline has survived on government bailouts after strug...