India, Sept. 8 -- Air India must restore passenger confidence, strengthen safety standards and improve financial discipline as it enters a new phase under incoming Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director Tewolde Gebremariam, Tata Sons Chairman and Air India Chairman N Chandrasekaran said on Monday.

Addressing employees at a town hall, Chandrasekaran introduced Gebremariam, who will succeed Campbell Wilson as the airline's chief executive. Chandrasekaran said rebuilding trust among passengers would be one of Air India's most important priorities. He said the airline should aim to have a safety record that is "better than the best".

He identified safety, customer confidence, operational performance and cost control as the key priori...