Air India brings back ex-CMD Pradeep Kharola amid CEO transition plan

Air India has brought back former chairman and chief executive Pradeep Singh Kharola to its senior management team, signaling the start of a planned leadership transition as CEO Campbell Wilson nears the end of his tenure.

In a message to employees on Monday evening, Wilson announced that Kharola would join the airline as “executive advisor to the chairman” and “become a full member of Air India’s management committee.”

Tata Sons chairman N. Chandrasekaran is also the chairman of Air India.

Kharola is returning to Air India after a long career in public service. He previously served as secretary at the civil aviation ministry after serving as the airline’s president and chief executive between 2017 and 2019. In this role, he was closely involved in the government’s efforts to privatize the national carrier; this process resulted in Tata Group acquiring Air India in 2022.

Economic Times had reported Kharola’s appointment on February 17.

“Pradip is no stranger to Air India,” Wilson said in the memo, adding that Kharola’s experience will be valuable to the airline during the leadership transition.

“In the final months of my term, his experience will be invaluable in ensuring a smooth leadership transition to a new CEO,” Wilson said in his message.

Mint He saw Wilson’s message.

Air India did not immediately respond mint Query regarding Kharola’s appointment.

Kharola’s appointment comes at a crucial time for Air India. The Tata Group-owned airline is in the midst of a major fleet renewal program and is also looking for a new chief executive. Wilson, who resigned in March, is currently serving his notice period and is expected to leave in September.

The airline is also facing financial difficulties. Air India is estimated to have reported a loss of around $3 billion in FY26 due to foreign exchange losses, airspace disruptions and high fuel costs. Mint It was previously reported.

Air India is currently the largest loss-making entity in the Tata group.

Meanwhile, Singapore Airlines, which owns 25.1% of Air India’s shares, started to take a more active role in the airline’s operations. Many executives of the Singaporean carrier have moved on to senior positions at Air India. These include engineering and maintenance officer Jeremy Yew and chief operations officer Captain Basil Kwauk, both of whom previously worked for Singapore Airlines.

The appointment at Air India follows the appointment of former British Airways CEO William Walsh as the new CEO of the country’s largest carrier IndiGo. Walsh will join the Gurugram-based airline in August. IndiGo has also appointed former Air India Express CEO Aloke Singh as chief strategy officer.