Air India chief executive Campbell Wilson has stepped down from his role, though he will continue with the airline until a replacement is appointed, Hindustan Times cited four people familiar with the matter as saying. His resignation was accepted during a board meeting held last week.
“He will continue to be in the system until the board finds his successor - to help in a smooth transition - whenever that happens, until September,” Hindustan Times quoted one among the four as saying.
Wilson’s five-year tenure, which began in September 2022 following the airline’s privatisation earlier that year, was originally due to run until September 2027. His exit now brings that timeline forward by about a year. Air India declined to comment on the development.
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Search for successor already underway
The process of searching for a new chief executive is already in motion. As per the report by the Hindustan Times, sources said the search began in January after Wilson conveyed that he did not wish to continue beyond his contract period. The airline is currently in advanced discussions with potential candidates, with a key meeting expected next week.
“They are all full-service carrier CEOs. Naming someone is not correct at this stage,” a person aware of the discussions said.
Mounting operational pressures
The leadership change comes at a time when the airline is dealing with multiple operational and financial pressures. Ongoing airspace restrictions linked to the West Asia situation have forced Air India to reroute several flights, often requiring additional fuel stops. This has pushed up costs, particularly on long-haul international routes that form a significant share of its operations.
The airline is also navigating aircraft delivery delays and rising expenses. These challenges follow the June 12, 2025, crash of Flight AI 171, a Boeing Dreamliner that went down shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad, resulting in 241 fatalities on board and on the ground. Estimates suggest the airline could post losses of up to ₹20,000 crore in FY 2026.
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What lies ahead
Industry observers say the next CEO will need a strong track record in managing full-service airlines, along with exposure to low-cost operations, given the airline’s dual structure with Air India Express.
“The new person (Air India CEO) is expected once the crash report of AI 171 is made public,” a second person said.
Meanwhile, leadership churn is not limited to Air India. IndiGo recently saw the exit of its CEO Pieter Elbers on March 10, with William Walsh taking over on March 30.
Separately, Air India Express CEO Aloke Singh’s tenure ended on March 19, as communicated to employees earlier in March.
