Air India may soon get a new CEO amid continued scrutiny over safety lapses and multiple DGCA strikes over the past year. The Tata Group company has reportedly held talks with the chief executives of at least two major carriers based in the UK and US. Multiple source based reports indicate low-budget carrier Air India Express is also set for a leadership change. Currently CEO Campbell Wilson will see his term officially end in mid-2027.
According to a source-based Reuters report, the Tata Group has been unhappy with the performance of Wilson in 2025 — after he was effectively given a blank cheque to fix its problems following purchase from the Indian government. The carrier had suffered multiple blows last year — including the devastating Ahmedabad plane crash that left 280 people dead. Regulators had flagged problems ranging from flying aircraft without emergency equipment checks to delays in replacing engine parts, maintenance record forgery and shortcomings in managing crew fatigue.
The loss-making airline was privatised and sold to the Tata Group in 2022 in a bid to revive its fortunes. The conglomerate has invested heavily to modernise the fleet and expand routes in the ensuing years. But turnaround continues to face challenges due to delays in aircraft deliveries and refurbishments as well as operational issues and safety concerns.
N Chandrasekaran leads meetings
According to an Economic Times report, Tata Group chairman N Chandrasekaran has already head discussions with at least two potential candidates. The publication said they were the chief executives of two leading UK and US-based international carriers. Sources indicated that Chandrasekaran has grown impatient with the pace of execution and improvement on the ground.
Wilson took over as Air India CEO and managing director in July 2022 following a 26-year career with Singapore Airlines. The New Zealand-born executive will see his tenure formally end in mid-2027. His five-year transformation plan to turn the airline into a global competitor has met several hurdles amid a prolonged supply chain crisis. Repeated regulatory offences and the deadly plane crash in 2025 also impacted his report card. Senior government officials had also sidestepped Wilson after the crash to deal directly with top leadership within the Tata Group. This had reportedly been a factor while deciding on his viability at the helm.
Air India plane crash probe continues
Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu said on Sunday that an in-depth investigation remained underway into the Ahmedabad Air India plane crash incident.
“The investigation is happening in its own pace very thoroughly and very professionally they are doing it. I just want to mention that there are international citizens also involved in that crash. All the countries also became parties to the investigation…From the investigation team, from the ministry to the investigation team, whatever support is required, we are strongly giving it to them so that there is no dearth of resources” he told ANI.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation also issued a show-cause notice to an Air India pilot recently amid safety concerns on flights AI-358 and AI-357, pertaining to aircraft dispatch, Minimum Equipment List compliance, and flight crew decision-making.
The first week of January saw an Air India pilot removed from a plane under the influence of alcohol. Two breathalyser tests conducted by Canadian police at Vancouver International Airport showed the pilot was unfit for duty. The Canadian transport regulator has asked Air India to investigate the incident.