Air India CEO Campbell Wilson Resigns: Report

Mumbai: Air India CEO Campbell Wilson has tendered his resignation from the Tata Group-owned carrier, with the development coming as the airline continues to deal with persistent losses and heightened regulatory scrutiny following the crash last year that killed 260 people.

Wilson had informed the board in January of his desire to step down before his five-year contract concluded in 2027, and the board accepted his resignation at a meeting last week. He will continue in his role until a successor is found, ensuring a smooth transition.

Wilson joined Air India from Singapore Airlines' low-cost subsidiary Scoot in May 2022, just months after the Tata Group acquired the formerly government-run carrier for Rs 18,000 crore in January 2022. His appointment had followed the controversy surrounding the initial choice of former Turkish Airlines chairman Ilker Ayci, who turned down the offer citing opposition over his previous political links.

During his tenure, Wilson announced a comprehensive turnaround plan for the carrier. However, Air India struggled with rising costs, operational pressures, safety lapses, and the devastating crash of Flight AI 171 on June 12, 2025, which killed 260 people. Regulators cited the airline for safety lapses, including flying an aircraft eight times without an airworthiness certificate and operating planes without checking emergency equipment.

Air India is preparing for what is likely to be a record-breaking financial deficit, with industry reports projecting losses that could reach an estimated Rs 20,000 crore for the 2026 fiscal year. External headwinds have compounded the airline's troubles — Pakistan's ban on Indian carriers from its airspace and the prolonged West Asia conflict are adding further pressure on the airline's lucrative western routes.

One notable achievement during Wilson's tenure was the smooth completion of the Vistara merger into Air India, following which Singapore Airlines became a 25.1 percent shareholder while Tata Sons retained a 74.9 percent stake. Wilson's departure marks the second major CEO exit in Indian aviation in quick succession, following IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers, who resigned on March 10, 2026. Air India has yet to issue an official statement confirming the resignation.