Brands
Aloke Singh to step down as Air India Express chief
Hamish Maxwell takes charge of compliance and safety as carrier reshapes operations
MUMBAI: Aloke Singh is set to step down as chief executive of Air India Express, drawing the curtain on what he calls a five year phase of “defining transformation” at the Tata Group’s low cost international carrier.
In a farewell memo to employees, Singh reflected on an airline that, in his words, evolved from a “sub-scale niche operator into India’s third-largest narrow-body carrier”. It was a tenure marked not just by change, but by scale. Under his leadership, the fleet expanded four fold to more than 100 aircraft, while the workforce grew to around 8,300 people.
The airline confirmed that Hamish Maxwell, currently chief operating officer, will assume the role of accountable manager. He will oversee regulatory compliance, operational performance and safety, taking charge at a time when operational discipline is central to the airline’s next phase.
Singh’s departure comes as Air India Express continues to streamline its fleet and network while aligning more closely with the broader ambitions of the Air India group. The integration drive, following the merger with AirAsia India, aims to simplify operations and strengthen the carrier’s position in India’s fiercely competitive budget travel market.
Reflecting on the intense merger process and rapid fleet expansion, Singh told employees that what would endure most was the “team’s resolve and professionalism during high-pressure moments”. The tone of his note was both proud and personal. “Ours has been a journey without parallel. I would not trade a single chapter,” he wrote.
A seasoned aviation executive, Singh has led Air India Express since November 2020. Before that, he served as senior advisor for airline consulting at CAPA – Centre for Aviation and was co founder and chief executive of OpenSky Resorts. Earlier in his career, he held the role of chief officer network planning at Oman Air in Muscat, and spent more than two decades in various roles at Air India Limited, culminating as executive director for strategy and planning.
As Singh signs off, Air India Express finds itself larger, leaner and mid transition. With Maxwell now overseeing compliance and safety, the airline’s message is clear: the transformation story may have a new narrator, but the flight path remains firmly set.
Brands
RR Kabel expands FMEG portfolio with kitchen appliances and air coolers
Company forays into mixers, cooktops and hand blenders under RR Signature brand.
MUMBAI: RR Kabel has just cooked up something new and it’s not just another wire. The leading wires and cables manufacturer has announced a significant expansion of its Fast-Moving Electrical Goods (FMEG) portfolio by entering the kitchen appliances segment and strengthening its air coolers range under the premium RR Signature brand. The company has introduced Mixer Grinders, Electric Cooktops (both Induction and Infra-Red variants), and Hand Blenders. These products mark RR Kabel’s strategic foray into everyday kitchen essentials, allowing it to reach deeper into Indian households beyond traditional electrical categories.
The Induction and Infra-Red Cooktops are seeing particularly strong demand amid global developments affecting LPG pricing and supply. Consumers are increasingly shifting to electric cooking for its energy efficiency, precise control, and safety features. RR Signature is reinforcing its ‘Aapke Kaam Ki Baat’ promise with best-in-class warranties across the range.
The company also plans to introduce additional kitchen appliance categories in FY26-27. In parallel, it has expanded its Air Cooler portfolio with new Industrial (Semi-Commercial) models featuring higher tank capacities and superior air throw, catering to both commercial users and households seeking powerful cooling during intensifying summers.
RR Kabel executive director Mahhesh Kabra said, “Our expansion into kitchen appliances allows us to connect with consumers at more touchpoints in their daily lives, while our expanded air cooler range addresses the rising need for effective cooling solutions. These launches reflect our continued focus on quality, innovation, and market relevance.”
By stepping into kitchen appliances and enhancing its cooling solutions, RR Kabel is wiring itself more deeply into Indian homes proving that even a cables company knows how to heat things up in the kitchen and keep things cool elsewhere. The move positions the brand for broader growth as it evolves from wires to a more complete home solutions player.
