Air India CEO Campbell Wilson resigns before his term ends, adding uncertainty as the airline grapples with safety incidents and operational headwinds
NEW DELHI: Air India chief executive Campbell Wilson has resigned, the airline announced.
His departure adds fresh uncertainty to a carrier struggling with rising costs and a string of safety-related incidents.
New Zealand-born Wilson was appointed in 2022 after the Tata Group took over the loss-making former state carrier.
He will leave before the end of his five-year term but remain in charge until a successor is appointed.
Wilson had informed group chairman N. Chandrasekaran in 2024 of his intention to step down this year.
The airline stated he had been preparing the organisation for a smooth transition.
“Campbell and his team have demonstrated tenacity and resolve and have aligned an organization drawn from many backgrounds behind the shared goal of building the new Air India that is now emerging,” Chandrasekaran said.
A committee has been formed to select a new CEO “in the coming months”.
Since privatisation in 2022, Tata has embarked on an ambitious overhaul, ordering hundreds of aircraft.
Wilson led efforts to improve service, modernise operations and integrate the group’s aviation businesses.
He faced persistent headwinds including aircraft delivery delays and airspace closures from regional conflicts.
The biggest setback of his tenure came in June 2025 when Air India Flight 171 crashed after take-off from Ahmedabad.
The crash killed all but one of the 242 people on board and 19 people on the ground.
A preliminary report said fuel supply to the jet’s engines was cut off moments before impact.
This raised questions about possible pilot error, which pilot associations have rejected.
Indian authorities have yet to release a final report into the crash.
Following the deadly crash, the airline received several show-cause notices for other safety violations.