The Tata Group has begun searching for a new Chief Executive Officer for Air India, signaling frustration with the airline’s slow recovery following a June crash that killed more than 241 passengers and crew, according to people familiar with the matter. Current CEO Campbell Wilson, whose contract runs until mid-2027, will not be offered an extension, the sources said.
Tata Chairman N. Chandrasekaran has held preliminary talks with potential CEO candidates, targeting executives with experience leading large airlines, including those with extensive domestic operations. The Economic Times first reported the discussions earlier on Monday.
Air India is unlikely to achieve its operational break-even target by March 31, a key factor in Wilson’s impending replacement. The airline’s recovery plan was further hampered by the Boeing 787 Dreamliner crash in Ahmedabad, the cause of which remains under investigation. A new CEO announcement is expected after the official crash report is released, likely by June.
India’s aviation sector is currently facing turbulence beyond Air India. Rival carrier IndiGo has been contending with pilot shortages and software glitches that caused mass flight cancellations last month, stranding roughly half a million passengers. Together, the two airlines control nearly 90% of India’s domestic air travel, raising concerns about whether the country’s infrastructure and regulatory framework can sustain rapid growth.
External pressures, including aircraft supply chain delays and Pakistan’s closure of its airspace to Indian carriers—forcing longer routes—have also weighed on Air India’s financial performance. Singapore Airlines, which owns a 25.1% stake in Air India, has been assisting in transitioning aircraft maintenance services in-house as part of the restructuring plan.
Wilson, 53, joined Air India in July 2022 from Scoot Airlines after the Tata Group’s initial choice, former Turkish Airlines Chief Ilker Ayci, declined the role. He was tasked with improving onboard experiences, including seating, in-flight entertainment, and food, while repositioning the airline for profitability and growth following Tata’s acquisition from the Indian government in 2022.
