Tata begins search for new Air India CEO ahead of 2027 term end: Report

Tata Sons has begun exploring a potential change at the top of Air India, holding discussions with senior executives from global airlines as it reviews leadership across its aviation businesses, according to a report by the Economic Times.

People familiar with the matter told the newspaper that Tata Group chairman N Chandrasekaran, who also chairs Air India, has spoken with chief executives of at least two major carriers based in the UK and the US as possible successors to current chief executive Campbell Wilson. The talks come amid concerns over the pace of execution and on-ground improvements at the airline.

Wilson’s current term runs until June 2027, but sources told the Economic Times that a leadership change could take place well before then. Similar reviews are said to be under way at Air India Express, where the tenure of chief executive Aloke Singh is also scheduled to end in 2027.

Chandrasekaran has held regular performance review meetings with Wilson in recent months, people aware of the discussions said. Tata Sons declined to comment on the reported developments. A person close to Wilson told the Economic Times that he is part of the succession planning process and has informed the board of his inability to continue beyond 2027. Group officials, however, disputed that account, saying no such board-level discussion has taken place and that the exercise is being driven directly by the chairman.

Wilson, a New Zealander who took charge in July 2022, launched a five-year transformation plan aimed at restoring Air India’s brand, improving service quality and turning the carrier into a global competitor. His tenure has delivered mixed outcomes, the Economic Times reported.

The merger of Vistara into Air India was executed smoothly, and the airline expanded capacity, at times overtaking IndiGo on select metro routes. However, progress on the broader transformation has been slowed by global supply chain disruptions, including delays in aircraft deliveries and refurbishment of older planes, which have affected service quality and on-time performance on long-haul routes.

“We should have received 28 brand new aircraft by now. But the actual number of new aircraft designed by and for Air India that we have received is zero,” Wilson was quoted as saying by the Economic Times, pointing to the impact of supply constraints.

Operational challenges have been compounded by regulatory scrutiny. The airline faced intense attention following the Ahmedabad crash last year that killed 260 people. While a preliminary investigation did not point to faults in the aircraft or Air India’s engineering practices, the Economic Times reported that senior government officials chose to engage directly with Tata Group leadership rather than Wilson in the aftermath.

In addition, several senior executives, including Wilson, have received show-cause notices from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation over alleged non-compliance, including an incident involving the operation of an aircraft with an expired licence, the newspaper said.

Financial pressures have added to the strain. Airspace restrictions following Pakistan’s closure have forced longer routes, weighing on costs and profitability. Air India and Air India Express together posted a loss of ₹10,859 crore in FY25 on revenue of ₹78,636 crore, making them the largest loss-making entities within the Tata Group, according to the Economic Times.

With consolidation and brand revival largely completed since Air India’s return to the Tata fold, Chandrasekaran is now focused on the next phase of execution. Sources told the Economic Times that the group is seeking leadership with deeper operational expertise and a sharper customer focus to steer the airline towards sustainable profitability.