Air India CEO Campbell Wilson resigns, to stay until successor is appointed

In a significant leadership development, Campbell Wilson has resigned as chief executive of Air India but will continue in the role until a successor is appointed. The decision was accepted during a recent board meeting, with Wilson expected to remain in position until the transition process is completed, potentially until September.

Wilson joined Air India in September 2022 on a five-year contract following the airline’s privatisation under the Tata Group earlier that year. His term was originally scheduled to run until September next year. However, the search for a successor began in January after Wilson expressed his wish not to continue beyond the end of his contract. The airline has reportedly begun discussions with potential candidates, all believed to be experienced leaders from full-service carriers. A key meeting regarding the appointment of a new chief executive is expected soon as the company works toward ensuring a smooth leadership transition.

The leadership change comes at a challenging time for Air India. The airline is facing operational disruptions due to West Asia airspace restrictions, aircraft supply constraints and rising costs on long-haul routes. These pressures have intensified following the June 12, 2025 crash of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner operating Flight AI 171 shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad, which resulted in 241 fatalities.