Air India CEO Campbell Wilson resigns: reports

Email: online@newsofbahrain.com

NEW DELHI:  Air India CEO Campbell Wilson has reportedly stepped down from his position on Tuesday, marking a significant leadership transition for the Tata Group-owned airline. Wilson, who took charge in 2022, was instrumental in steering the carrier through its massive ‘Vihaan.AI’ transformation program, which aimed to modernize the airline’s fleet, improve service standards, and integrate various entities like Vistara and Air India Express.

Under his leadership, Air India placed a record-breaking order for 470 aircraft from Boeing and Airbus, signaling a long-term commitment to global expansion. While the airline has not yet officially confirmed his successor, reports suggest that the transition comes as the carrier enters a more stable operational phase following the complex merger processes.

Industry analysts credit Wilson with professionalizing the airline's corporate culture and restoring its competitive edge in the international long-haul market. The departure is viewed as a planned succession as the Tata Group continues to consolidate its aviation portfolio.

However, Wilson’s exit comes at a time when Air India is under intense pressure following a series of grave operational crises. The most devastating of these was the catastrophic crash of flight AI-171 in Ahmedabad on June 12, 2025, which resulted in the deaths of 260 people.

 The tragedy has left a lasting stain on the airline’s reputation, with families of the victims recently writing to the Prime Minister to demand transparency and the release of black box data, alleging that the carrier has been evasive regarding the cause of the disaster.

The leadership change also follows a string of severe regulatory challenges. Recent audits by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) uncovered over 100 safety lapses, including significant deficiencies in pilot training for the Boeing 777 and 787 fleets. 

Furthermore, a March 2026 parliamentary report revealed that nearly half of Air India's audited aircraft showed recurring technical defects. Coupled with mounting financial losses including a fourfold increase in losses at subsidiary Air India Express these safety and regulatory failures have cast a shadow over Wilson’s ‘Vihaan.AI’ legacy, forcing the Tata Group to seek new leadership to navigate this period of heightened scrutiny.