Air India Seeks New CEO Amid Intense Scrutiny Over Operational and Safety Failures
Air India has begun searching for a new chief executive officer to replace Campbell Wilson, according to two people with direct knowledge of the process. This decision comes at a complex time for the airline, which remains under intense scrutiny following a series of operational and safety failures detected after a serious accident in June.
A Scenario Marked by Crisis and Regulatory Oversight
The airline is going through one of the most delicate moments in its recent history. Following the June 2025 accident, which resulted in 260 fatalities and is considered the world’s most severe aviation disaster in the last decade, regulators pointed to multiple deficiencies. These included flights conducted without complete checks of emergency equipment, delays in replacing engine parts, falsification of maintenance records, and shortcomings in crew fatigue management.
This accumulation of observations has placed Air India under constant pressure, both from authorities and from within its own corporate structure.
Campbell Wilson’s Profile and His Tenure at Air India
Campbell Wilson assumed the roles of CEO and managing director of Air India in July 2022. Before his arrival, he built a 26-year career at Singapore Airlines, where he held various senior positions both at the main airline and its low-cost subsidiary, Scoot. Born in New Zealand, Wilson was appointed to lead a deep transformation following the company’s privatization.
His tenure is scheduled to conclude in mid-2027. However, according to the Indian newspaper Economic Times, there is a possibility he could be replaced before that date. The outlet was the first to report, on Monday, on the exploration of candidates for the position.
Internal Tensions and Talks with Potential Successors
Air India is chaired by N. Chandrasekaran, who also heads the Tata Group, the airline’s majority owner. Singapore Airlines holds a 25% stake in the company. According to one source, Tata expressed dissatisfaction with Wilson last year due to overall performance, despite the executive having received extensive resources to resolve problems inherited after the purchase from the Indian government.
The Economic Times reported that Chandrasekaran held talks with the CEOs of at least two leading international airlines, based in the United Kingdom and the United States, as potential replacements. The sources consulted requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter.
Potential Further Changes Within the Group
The review process would not be limited to the main airline. According to the same news report, Air India Express, the group’s low-cost subsidiary, could also undergo similar changes in its leadership team. This move points to a broader reorganization within the aviation conglomerate.
A Modernization Process with Persistent Obstacles
For decades, Air India was India’s state-owned airline. After years of losses, it was privatized and sold to the Tata Group in 2022 with the aim of restoring its viability and prestige. Since then, the conglomerate has made significant investments to modernize the fleet and expand the route network.
However, the recovery plan has been affected by delays in aircraft deliveries, holdups in refurbishment work, operational issues, and ongoing safety-related concerns. These factors have hindered the progress of the transformation and intensified the debate about the need for new leadership at the helm of the company.
The eventual appointment of a new chief executive will mark a key point for Air India’s future, at a time when the airline seeks to regain the trust of the public, regulators, and the international market.
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