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Air India CEO Campbell Wilson resigns ahead of term: Reports
Tata Group begins leadership transition amid crisis and ongoing turnaround push
NEW DELHI: According to media reports, Air India chief executive officer and managing director Campbell Wilson has resigned from his position, stepping down more than a year before the end of his term.
Reports indicate that the airline’s board approved his resignation last week, although Wilson is expected to remain in his role during the notice period until a successor is appointed. The airline has not yet issued an official statement.
Wilson, who took charge in 2022 following the acquisition of Air India by the Tata Group, was on a five-year contract set to run until July 2027. His early exit comes at a critical time as the carrier continues to work through operational and financial challenges.
The reported resignation follows a turbulent phase for the airline, including the fallout from the Ahmedabad plane crash and increased regulatory scrutiny. Rising fuel costs, aircraft delivery delays, and the complexities of post-privatisation integration have also weighed on performance.
Before joining Air India, Wilson served as chief executive of Scoot, the low-cost arm of Singapore Airlines, where he built a reputation for scaling operations efficiently. His appointment at Air India was seen as a key part of the Tata Group’s revival strategy.
The search for a new chief executive has reportedly been underway since last year, though there is no clarity yet on a replacement.
The development comes amid wider leadership shifts in the aviation sector. Rival IndiGo has named William Walsh, former head of the International Air Transport Association, as its incoming CEO.
For Air India, the focus now turns to ensuring continuity while sustaining its turnaround momentum. With a leadership change on the horizon, the airline’s next chapter will likely depend on both steady execution and a smooth handover at the top.
