Air India CEO Campbell Wilson to serve six months’ notice — What we know about the airline’s succession plans

Air India chief executive Campbell Wilson has resigned from his post and will remain in the post until his successor is announced and assumes office, the airline said in a statement on April 7.

“Wilson had communicated his intention to resign in 2026 to Air India Chairman N. Chandrasekaran in 2024 and has since been working to ensure that the organization and leadership team are on a stable footing for the transition,” the statement said.

Wilson’s resignation comes at a turbulent time for the airline

This development, in particular, sets the stage for a leadership transition at a time when the airline is grappling with operational disruptions, rising costs and possible record losses this year. These challenges were compounded by the effects of the June 12, 2025 crash of Flight AI Flight 171, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner operated by the airline, that crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad airport, killing 241 people on board and on the ground.

The board of directors accepted the resignation of the senior manager at its meeting last week. Sources told Hindustan Times “He will remain with the system until September – to assist with a smooth transition – until the board finds his successor.”

Campbell’s five-year term was scheduled to end in September next year.

What do we know about the carrier’s succession plans?

The statement also stated that Air India’s Board of Directors has formed a committee that will find Wilson’s successor “in the coming months.”

Accordingly HT MediaAir India is in advanced talks with candidates and a critical meeting on the issue is planned for next week. Meanwhile, sources also said: CNBC-TV18 It is stated that both internal and external candidates are being considered to replace Wilson.

Wilson joined Air India on a five-year contract in September 2022, months after the airline was privatized by the Tata Group in January that year. His departure means the contract will end a year earlier than planned.

“The new person (Air India CEO) is expected after the accident report of AI 171 is made public,” sources said HT Media. India’s air accident investigation agency released a preliminary report on July 12 last year and is due to release a full report by June 12 this year.

This is the second major leadership change in the aviation industry this year. In early March, India’s largest airline, IndiGo, announced the sudden departure of its CEO, Pieter Elbers, and was replaced by William Walsh on March 30.

‘The basic blocks are in place… now is the right time to hand over the reins,’ says Wilson

In his statement leaving the aviation field, Wilson summarized his career at Air India, noting that “in the six years since its privatisation, acquisition and successful merger of four airlines, it has undergone an evolution from public sector to private sector practices”, noting that the airline has seen a complete modernization of systems, introduced new physical products and added 100 aircraft to its fleet.

“With these foundational blocks now in place and a short window from an order book for aircraft of around 600 to deliveries starting in earnest from 2027, it is time for me to hand over the reins for the next phase of Air India’s rise. It has been a real honor to play a small part in this final chapter of Air India’s long history and I will continue to be an enthusiastic supporter of this great organization and its people,” Wilson said.

Air India Chairman N Chandrasekaran, on behalf of the board, expressed “deep appreciation” for Wilson’s leadership and contributions and acknowledged the “numerous external challenges faced by the Air India team, including prolonged post-Covid supply chain constraints affecting the delivery of new aircraft and replacement programmes, as well as significant geopolitical and other headwinds”.

According to Chandrasekaran, “Campbell and his team have shown perseverance and determination and brought together an organization from many backgrounds behind the common goal of building the new Air India that is now emerging.”