Air India CEO Campbell Wilson resigns amid losses, probe

Air India’s chief executive, Campbell Wilson, has resigned, a source with direct knowledge told Reuters on Tuesday, with the airline facing sustained losses and intensified regulatory scrutiny following a deadly crash last year. Reports say Wilson will remain in post until a successor is appointed to ensure operational continuity.

According to media accounts and people familiar with the matter, the resignation was accepted at a recent board meeting and comes amid mounting cost pressures, delayed aircraft deliveries and elevated fuel and rerouting expenses tied to regional airspace restrictions. Local outlets report that the search for a new CEO had been underway for several months and that discussions with potential candidates are at an advanced stage.

Financially, analysts warn that Air India’s deterioration could weigh on Tata Group’s consolidated results and liquidity profile. Recent reporting suggests the carrier may record significantly larger losses in the current fiscal year, driven by operational disruptions, compensation liabilities and higher unit costs. These pressures could force a reassessment of fleet expansion and capital expenditure plans.

The leadership change is inseparable from the fallout of last year’s Boeing 787 Dreamliner accident near Ahmedabad, which prompted regulatory probes into fuel control switch movement and procedural lapses; preliminary inquiries and regulator directives have kept scrutiny on Air India elevated. The crash’s human and reputational toll, along with subsequent directives from India’s aviation regulator, have complicated the airline’s recovery path.

Market commentators say the key near-term variables will be the speed of a clean leadership transition, clarity on remedial actions addressing regulatory findings, and the carrier’s ability to stabilize cash flow. A decisive succession and credible operational reforms could restore confidence, but investors and creditors will monitor quarterly results and any guidance revisions closely.