Air India’s board is reportedly seeking a new chief executive to replace Campbell Wilson, according to several media reports. Reuters reports that the move comes as the airline faces intense regulatory scrutiny following a June crash that killed 260 people.
Regulators have flagged serious safety lapses, including skipped emergency equipment checks, delays in engine part replacements, forged maintenance records, and poor crew fatigue management, Reuters reported.
Wilson, who became CEO in July 2022 after Air India’s privatisation, was given broad authority to overhaul operations. However, Tata Group, the airline’s majority owner, is reported to have been dissatisfied with performance last year. Wilson’s term runs until mid-2027, but he could be replaced earlier, according to India’s Economic Times, which first reported the search.
The newspaper said Tata chairman N. Chandrasekaran has spoken with CEOs of at least two major UK- and U.S.-based carriers as potential successors. Leadership changes are also expected at Air India Express, the group’s low-cost arm.
Air India, formerly state-owned, was sold to Tata in 2022. Despite heavy investment in fleet modernization and route expansion, progress has been hampered by delivery delays, operational issues, and mounting safety concerns.
Tata Group, Singapore Airlines (which owns 25% of Air India), and Wilson have not responded to request for comments.