Tata Group-owned Air India on Tuesday confirmed that its Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director Campbell Wilson has resigned, with the airline initiating the process to identify his successor.
"Wilson had conveyed his intention to step down in 2026 to Air India Chairman N Chandrasekaran in 2024 and, since then, has been working to ensure the organization and leadership team is on a stable footing for the transition," the airline said in a statement.
Wilson will continue as CEO & MD until a successor is appointed, the airline said, adding that the board has constituted a committee to find a replacement in the coming months.
Earlier, a source familiar with the development said, "He expressed his desire to resign, conveyed it (to the Board) and resigned."
A native of New Zealand, Wilson has been leading the airline since July 2022, shortly after the Tata Group acquired Air India from the government in January 2022. His appointment followed former Turkish Airlines Chairman Ilker Ayci’s decision not to take up the role.
Earlier, sources had indicated that the Tata Group was scouting for a suitable candidate to lead the airline as Wilson’s tenure, originally slated to run until 2027, progressed.
The leadership transition also comes at a time when Air India Express, the airline’s low-cost subsidiary, has been without a head since March 19 following the exit of its Managing Director Aloke Singh after completing his five-year tenure.
Tata Sons Chairman N Chandrasekaran appreciated the contribution of Wilson and said under his leadership Air India made progress on several fronts.
"... it is also worth acknowledging the numerous external challenges navigated by the Air India team, including prolonged post-Covid supply chain constraints that have impacted delivery of new aircraft and retrofit programs as well as major geopolitical and other headwinds," he said.
Wilson has faced scrutiny in recent months, particularly after the June 12 crash of a London-bound Air India flight shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad, in which 241 of the 242 people onboard the Boeing 787-8 aircraft were killed.
Wilson said: "The four years since Air India's privatisation has seen the acquisition and successful merger of four airlines, an evolution from public to private sector practices along with renewal of the leadership team, workforce, culture and ways of operating."
Air India has seen the complete modernization of systems, the launch of new physical products, and deployment of elevated service standards on ground and in the air, as well as 100 additional aircraft added to the fleet, he added.
Air India's low-cost subsidiary, Air India Express also does not have a head since March 19 this year following the exit of then Managing Director Aloke after he completed his 5-year tenure.