Indian aviation heavyweight Air India may be headed for a significant leadership reshuffle, with reports suggesting that the airline is evaluating options to replace its Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Campbell Wilson, well before his term concludes in June 2027. Similar changes are also expected at Air India Express, the Tata Group–owned low-cost subsidiary.
According to a report from Reuters, the Tata Group has begun early deliberations around leadership succession at both airlines. Air India and Air India Express are yet to officially respond to the report.
Regulatory Scrutiny Puts Air India Leadership Under Focus
Reuters reported, citing two sources, that Air India has initiated a search for a possible successor to Campbell Wilson amid heightened regulatory oversight. This scrutiny intensified following the fatal AI 171 crash last June, which resulted in 260 deaths. In the aftermath, regulators reportedly identified several operational shortcomings.
These included alleged instances of forgery, delays in replacing critical engine components, aircraft operating without mandatory emergency equipment inspections, and gaps in crew fatigue management. The report added that Wilson, Singapore Airlines, and Tata Group did not respond to queries related to the leadership review.
Tata Chairman’s Concerns
Separately, The Economic Times cited officials familiar with the matter saying that Tata Group chairman and Air India chairman N Chandrasekaran was dissatisfied with Wilson’s handling of the crisis and the overall speed of operational improvements at the airline. The report stated that Chandrasekaran has already held discussions with at least two senior aviation executives based in the US and the UK as potential replacements.
It further noted that Chandrasekaran conducted multiple performance assessments with Wilson over the past few months before arriving at this stage of deliberation.
Air India Express Also Likely To See CEO Change
The ET report also highlighted that Air India Express may undergo a leadership transition. The airline’s current CEO, Aloke Singh, is expected to be replaced once his term ends in 2027, aligning with broader restructuring efforts across the Air India Group.
Who Is Campbell Wilson?
Campbell Wilson assumed charge as Air India’s chief in July 2022 after leading Scoot, the low-cost arm of Singapore Airlines. With 26 years of experience in the aviation sector, he has worked across both full-service and budget airline models.
Wilson began his career as a Management Trainee with Singapore Airlines in New Zealand in 1996 and later held roles in Canada, Hong Kong, and Japan. He returned to Singapore in 2011 as Scoot’s founding CEO and served until 2016. He later took on the role of Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Singapore Airlines before resuming leadership at Scoot in April 2020. During his tenure at Air India, the airline integrated Vistara into its operations and expanded its fleet, marking a key phase in the Tata Group’s ambitious aviation turnaround plan.
