New Delhi, Jan 6, 2026, 07:29 (IST)
- Air India’s board is scouting for a new CEO to replace Campbell Wilson, sources say
- Tata chairman N. Chandrasekaran has been sounding out international airline bosses, local reports said
- The move comes as Air India faces tougher scrutiny after last year’s fatal crash and a delayed fleet overhaul
Air India’s board is scouting for a new chief executive to replace Campbell Wilson, two people with direct knowledge of the matter said. 1
The discussions come as Air India remains under intense oversight after a crash in June 2025 killed 260 people, prompting regulators to flag a string of safety and compliance lapses, the sources said.
That scrutiny has raised the stakes for Tata Group, which has spent heavily since buying the former state carrier in 2022 and wants to turn it into a credible challenger in one of the world’s fastest-growing aviation markets.
Wilson, a New Zealand-born former Singapore Airlines executive, became Air India’s CEO and managing director in July 2022. His term runs until mid-2027, but the board could replace him before then, the sources said.
Air India is chaired by N. Chandrasekaran, who also chairs Tata Group, while Singapore Airlines holds a 25% stake in the carrier. Tata Group, Singapore Airlines, Air India and Wilson did not respond to requests for comment, Reuters said.
Tata has also begun scouting candidates to lead Air India Express, the group’s low-cost airline, as it prepares for leadership transitions across its airline businesses, local media reported. 2
Economic Times reported Chandrasekaran has held discussions with chief executives of at least two leading UK- and U.S.-based international carriers as potential successors, and that Tata has grown impatient with the pace of improvement. “We should have received 28 brand new aircraft by now … the actual number … is zero,” Wilson said recently. (Economic Times)
Regulators have flagged issues ranging from aircraft being flown without required emergency equipment checks to delays in replacing engine parts, Reuters reported, alongside allegations of forged maintenance records and gaps in managing crew fatigue — when pilots and cabin crew become over-tired, raising safety risk. Economic Times said India’s aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, has issued show-cause notices — formal letters demanding an explanation — to senior officials including Wilson for alleged violations.
Air India and Air India Express posted a combined loss of 10,859 crore rupees in fiscal 2025 on revenue of 78,636 crore rupees, Economic Times reported, after higher costs from longer routings following Pakistan’s airspace closure. The group is also fighting to defend share against IndiGo, which dominates India’s domestic market, while rebuilding its long-haul operation.
But a drawn-out succession search could distract management just as aircraft delivery delays and refurbishment backlogs continue to crimp service quality and on-time performance. NDTV reported the final report into the Ahmedabad crash is expected around June, and any adverse findings could deepen regulatory pressure and slow the turnaround further.
For now, the people with direct knowledge said the board is sounding out options while weighing whether a leadership reset can speed up execution. The next signal will be whether Tata formalises the search and how quickly it narrows a shortlist.
