Air India CEO Campbell Wilson Resigns Amid Soaring Costs Due to Iran War

Campbell Wilson, chief executive of Air India, has resigned but will remain in his role until a successor is appointed, according to multiple reports. His resignation was accepted at a board meeting last week. According to the report, “he will continue to be in the system until the board finds his successor — to help in a smooth transition — whenever that happens, until September.”
Wilson’s five-year term had been due to run until September next year. His departure comes at a time when the airline is facing operational disruptions, rising costs and the prospect of a record loss this financial year.
The reported move follows the recent exit of Pieter Elbers from rival carrier IndiGo, highlighting wider challenges for Indian airlines amid higher fuel costs and longer flight routes linked to the Iran conflict.
People familiar with the situation said the search for a successor began in January after Wilson indicated he did not wish to continue beyond his contract. He joined Air India in September 2022, months after the airline was privatised, and had been on a five-year term.
Also Read: How the Iran War is Reshaping the Global Aviation
The Tata Group has been scouting for a new Air India CEO, Bloomberg News reported in January, with group Chair Natarajan Chandrasekaran holding initial discussions with potential candidates as the conglomerate grew impatient with the airline’s slow recovery.
Air India is dealing with several pressures, including airspace restrictions related to the West Asia crisis, aircraft supply constraints and rising operating costs. The curbs have forced longer flight paths with additional fuel stops, increasing expenses, particularly on international routes.
The airline is also managing the aftermath of the crash of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner operating Flight AI 171 on 12 June 2025, shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad, in which 241 people were killed.
Reports suggest the airline’s losses could reach Rs 20,000 crore in the 2026 financial year.
Separately, the tenure of Aloke Singh, chief executive of Air India Express, ended on 19 March. He informed employees of his departure in an email sent earlier that month.