Business

Air India Turbulence: CEO Exit Deepens Tata’s Aviation Crisis

Campbell Wilson Quits Air India As Crisis, Delays And Losses Rock Tata’s Airline Revival Plan

Somatirtha

Campbell Wilson has stepped down as chief executive of Air India and is serving his notice period, people aware of the matter said. The airline and the Tata Group have not disclosed his last working day or named a successor.

Wilson joined in May 2022 from Scoot after the Tata Group acquired Air India for Rs 18,000 crore. His tenure was scheduled to run until July 2027. The group later merged Vistara with Air India, with Singapore Airlines taking a 25.1% stake.

What Operational Setbacks Shaped His Final Year?

Wilson’s third year saw a series of disruptions. A June crash involving an Ahmedabad–London flight triggered intense regulatory scrutiny and fleet inspections, and temporary aircraft groundings. Operations encountered difficulties that affected major international routes.

Geopolitical tensions added strain. Pakistan closed its airspace during the India-Pakistan conflict, which forced airlines to reroute flights while increasing both operational costs and passenger travel times. The West Asia conflict led to higher fuel prices and restricted route availability, which resulted in decreased profit margins and disrupted scheduling.

What does Balance Sheet Reveal About Air India’s Turnaround?

Air India’s recovery remains uneven. The airline’s $400 million retrofit programme is running nearly two years behind schedule, slowing fleet upgrades and expansion.

Financially, standalone revenue rose 13% to Rs 61,080 crore in FY25, while losses narrowed to Rs 3,976 crore. The company showed reduced debt levels. The low-cost segment business showed financial difficulties because Air India Express experienced increased losses and debt.

Air India remains the most unprofitable business of the Tata Group while the company works on its restoration efforts.

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