Campbell Wilson is Air India CEO

The position was vacant since the government handed over the airline to Tatas in Jan.

Tata Sons on Thursday announced the appointment of Campbell Wilson as CEO & MD of Air India. The Air India board approved the appointment, subject to requisite regulatory approvals.

The development comes after the appointment of Turkish Airline’s CEO Ilker Ayci as Air India’ CEO created a stir over his political linkages. The position has been lying vacant since the government handed over the control of the airline in January to Tatas.

Mr. Wilson, 50, is the CEO of Scoot, the wholly owned low-cost subsidiary of Singapore Airlines (SIA). He has over 26 years of experience in the aviation industry across full-service and budget carriers. 

 “I am delighted to welcome Campbell to Air India. He is an industry veteran having worked in key global markets cutting across multiple functions. Further, Air India would benefit from his added experience of having built an airline brand in Asia. I look forward to working with him in building a world-class airline,“ Chairman, Air India, N. Chandrasekaran said. 

Mr. Wilson started off as a management trainee with SIA in New Zealand in 1996. He then worked for SIA in Canada, Hong Kong and Japan, before returning to Singapore in 2011 as the founding CEO of Scoot, which he led until 2016.

Mr. Wilson then served as the Senior Vice-President, Sales & Marketing of SIA, where he oversaw Pricing, Distribution, eCommerce, Merchandising, Brand & Marketing, Global Sales and the airline’s overseas offices, before returning for a second stint as the CEO of Scoot in April 2020.

“It is honour to be selected to lead the iconic Air India and be a part of the highly respected Tata Group,” said Mr. Wilson. “Air India is at the cusp of an exciting journey to become one of the best airlines in the world, offering world-class products and services with a distinct customer experience that reflects Indian warmth and hospitality. I am excited to join Air India and Tata colleagues in the mission of realising that ambition.”