Air India CEO Campbell Wilson Steps Down; Airline Begins Hunt for New Chief

Wilson, who steered Air India through its Tata-era revival since 2022, will stay on until a successor is named

Wilson Exits After Three-Year Tenure

Air India CEO and Managing Director Campbell Wilson has formally resigned, the airline confirmed on Tuesday, setting in motion a search for new leadership at one of India's most prominent carriers.

The resignation was accepted at the company's board meeting held last week. Wilson, a New Zealand-born aviation veteran with over three decades of industry experience, took charge of the airline in September 2022 — just months after the Tata Group completed its acquisition of Air India following the government's divestment.

According to the airline's official statement, Wilson will continue in his current role until a new chief executive is identified and assumes charge.

Search Had Quietly Begun in January

The leadership transition had been on the cards for some time. Air India had already begun discreet discussions with potential candidates for the top post as early as January this year, after Wilson indicated he might not continue in the role.

High-level talks are currently under way with shortlisted candidates, sources indicated, though no appointment timeline has been officially announced.

Reports suggest the airline may hold off on formalising a new appointment until the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) releases its final report on the Ahmedabad air crash. The AAIB had issued a preliminary report in July 2025; the final findings are expected by June 2026.

From Singapore Airlines to Scoot to Air India

Wilson's career in aviation spans some of the industry's most competitive environments. He began as a management trainee with Singapore Airlines in New Zealand in 1996 and went on to hold roles across Canada, Hong Kong, and Japan.

He returned to Singapore to co-found Scoot, the budget carrier subsidiary of Singapore Airlines, serving as its inaugural CEO from 2011 to 2016. After a stint as Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing at the parent airline, Wilson returned to lead Scoot again in April 2020 before being appointed to head Air India two years later.

He holds a Master of Commerce with First Class Honours in Business Administration from the University of Canterbury.

A Difficult Year for the Carrier

Wilson's exit comes at a challenging period for the airline. Air India is projected to post losses of approximately ₹20,000 crore in the financial year 2026, as per reports, driven in large part by rising geopolitical tensions in West Asia.

Escalating conflict in the region has led to widespread airspace restrictions, forcing long-haul international flights to reroute via longer corridors and make additional fuel stops — significantly raising operational costs. Delayed aircraft deliveries have further disrupted the airline's fleet expansion strategy.

Ahmedabad Crash Still Weighs on the Airline

Air India continues to grapple with the reputational and operational fallout from the crash of Flight AI 171 in 2025. The aircraft, travelling from Ahmedabad to London, came down shortly after takeoff, claiming 260 lives in one of Indian aviation's worst accidents.

The AAIB investigation remains ongoing, and the final report is awaited before major strategic decisions — including the CEO appointment — are likely to be finalised, according to sources familiar with the matter.

IndiGo Also Saw CEO Change Last Month

Air India is not alone in navigating a leadership overhaul. IndiGo, India's largest carrier by market share, also saw a top-level departure recently. CEO Peter Elbers resigned on March 10, with the airline announcing William Walsh as his replacement on March 30.

Elbers' exit followed a turbulent December in which IndiGo experienced one of its worst operational crises — mass flight cancellations and delays that resulted in losses estimated at around ₹2,000 crore, according to reports.

What Comes Next for Air India

As India's second-largest airline enters a pivotal phase of its restructuring and fleet expansion, the choice of Wilson's successor will carry considerable weight. The incoming CEO will be expected to stabilise operations, manage investor expectations, and steer the carrier through its recovery from both the financial pressures of 2026 and the lingering consequences of the Ahmedabad crash.

Air India, which had long been seen as a troubled public sector asset before the Tata Group's turnaround push, remains one of Indian aviation's most watched stories — and its next leadership appointment will be no different.