Air India Chairman N Chandrasekaran forms interim committee to address challenges as new CEO search continues
An ad hoc committee has been formed by Air India Chairman N Chandrasekaran to address the challenges faced by the aviation giant due to the impending departure of former CEO Campbell Wilson, Reuters reported, citing a source with direct knowledge.
The ad hoc committee comprised senior executives of Air India, including former civil aviation ministry official Pradeep Singh Kharola and Chandrasekaran, the report said. Pending confirmation that Chandrasekaran will continue as chairman of Tata Sons, it aims to search for Wilson’s successor and ensure the continuity of the airline, according to the source.
Who is Pradeep Singh Kharola?
Kharola served as CMD of Air India from 2017 to 2019, when it was controlled by the Indian government. Tata Group took over management of the airline in 2022. He also served as Secretary in the Ministry of Civil Aviation and was involved in the privatization of the airline. He has been appointed Executive Director to the President since June.
Notably, Tata Sons holds the Tata Group conglomerate, which owns 75% of Air India. Singapore Airlines owns the remaining 25% stake in the iconic airline.
Air India and Tata Sons did not immediately respond to questions, according to the report.
Air India’s search for a new CEO continues
New Zealand-born Wilson tendered his resignation in April 2026 after four years in office. According to the report, a second source shared that Wilson’s notice period will end on September 30 this year. In an earlier report, the news agency said Singapore Airlines executive Vinod Kannan and Air India’s chief commercial officer Nipun Aggarwal are leading the race for his successor.
The airline said in a statement on April 7 that Wilson would remain in the role until his successor was announced and took office. Sources also told Hindustan Times, “He (Wilson) will remain in the system until September – to help with a smooth transition – until the board finds his successor.”
Notably, even before the resignation, Campbell’s five-year tenure as Air India CEO was scheduled to end in September.
According to an Economic Times report, Aggarwal’s candidacy faced opposition from many, including Tata Trusts Chairman Noel Tata. Tata Trusts holds 66% of Tata Sons, so reaching an agreement on appointment will be important.
Air India faces financial difficulties and security concerns
This development, in particular, paves the way for a leadership transition at a time when the airline is struggling with operational disruptions.
Full-service Air India and its low-cost carrier arm Air India Express faced record cumulative losses of more than $2 billion in FY25, with a Reuters report noting that the aviation giant has been under the scanner for a series of safety lapses, such as the fatal Boeing Dreamliner crash in Gujarat in June 2025 that killed 260 people.
The airline has also been hit hard by Pakistan’s airspace ban on Indian airlines and the US and Israel’s war against Iran in the Middle East; This increased fuel prices and operating costs.
(With inputs from Reuters)
