Indian aviation major Air India is looking to replace CEO and MD Campbell Wilson before his term ends in June 2027, according to reports by Reuters and The Economic Times.
The ET report added that Tata-owned low-cost carrier Air India Express is also expected to replace the current CEO, Aloke Singh. His term also ends next year in 2027.
LiveMint has reached out to Air India and Air India Express for an official comment, and this article will be updated once responses are received.
Air India CEO Campbell Wilson to be replaced? What we know
Reuters cited two sources saying that Air India is actively scouting for Wilson's replacement amid increased scrutiny from regulators following the deadly AI 171 crash last June, which claimed 260 lives.
The scrutiny has led to flagging of lapses in operations, including forgery, delays in replacing engine parts, aircraft flying without emergency equipment checks, and shortcomings in managing crew fatigue, it added.
It further reported that Wilson, Singapore Airlines and Tata Group did not respond to queries on the matter.
N Chandrasekaran unhappy with Campbell Wilson?
Meanwhile, the ET report cited officials saying that Tata Group and Air India chairman N Chandrasekaran was unhappy with Wilson's management of the crisis and the pace of improvement. He has reportedly spoken to at least two leading US and UK-based executives as potential candidates to replace Wilson, it added.
The ET report further added that Chandrasekaran conducted periodic performance reviews with Wilson over the past few months before deciding on this step.
Who is Campbell Wilson? All about the high-profile exec in spotlight
Wilson took over as chief of Air India in July 2022 after running Singapore Airlines' (SIA) owned low-cost carrier Scoot. At the time, he had 26 years of aviation industry expertise across both full-service and low-cost airlines.
He began his career with SIA as a Management Trainee in New Zealand in 1996, and worked his way through offices in Canada, Hong Kong and Japan before returning to Singapore in 2011 as the founding CEO of Scoot, which he led until 2016.
Wilson then served as the Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing of SIA, where he oversaw pricing, distribution, eCommerce, merchandising, brand & marketing, global sales, and the airline’s overseas offices, before returning for a second stint as the CEO of Scoot in April 2020.
Under his leadership, Air India absorbed the erstwhile Vistara Airlines into its fold and expanded its fleet strength.
