Air India's CEO, Campbell Wilson, has resigned after serving since 2022, amid persistent financial difficulties and regulators' safety reprimands. Wilson, a former Singapore Airlines executive, was brought in to help turn around the airline's fortunes, but ongoing losses and safety lapses have led to his decision to step down.
The airline, recently scrutinized for safety lapses including unauthorized aircraft flights and uncheck emergency equipment, faces a challenging environment following a tragic crash last year that claimed 260 lives. Despite efforts to overhaul operations and aircraft refurbishments, financial pressures have intensified, especially after Pakistan banned Indian carriers last year, resulting in significant revenue reductions.
Wilson’s departure comes just days after rival airline IndiGo appointed Willie Walsh as its new CEO, further escalating industry competition and pressure. Wilson remains in his role through a six-month notice period while a successor is sought, according to sources familiar with the matter.
Since taking the helm, Wilson led important initiatives in engineering and fleet management but was unable to prevent ongoing losses, which in the 2024-2025 financial year amounted to approximately 98.1 billion rupees (S$1.4 billion). His resignation indicates the complex challenges facing Air India, including aircraft delivery delays and recent safety concerns, highlighting the need for strategic leadership to navigate the recovery process.
