Air India CEO Campbell Wilson

Air India CEO Campbell Wilson has resigned as the airline grapples with persistent losses and increased regulatory scrutiny following a crash last year that killed 260 people, Indian newspaper Mint reports. The report of the leadership change comes as the airline grapples with delivery delays and persistent losses. Regulators have also reprimanded the airline for safety lapses, including flying the plane eight times without an airworthiness certificate and operating the plane without checking emergency equipment.

Wilson is currently serving his notice period, the report said, citing two people familiar with the matter. The newspaper said it could not ascertain whether its majority owner Tata Group had found a successor.

Wilson’s resignation was accepted at a board meeting last week, but he will remain at the company until a successor is found, Hindustan Times reported, citing four people familiar with the matter.

Reuters could not immediately confirm the reports. Air India did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment outside regular business hours. In January, Reuters reported that Air India’s board was looking for a new CEO to replace Wilson, a former Singapore Airlines veteran who was brought in to lead the airline’s turnaround in 2022 after years of decline under government ownership.

According to a Reuters report, in December Air India admitted that “process discipline, communication and compliance culture require urgent improvements”.

The airline has been losing money since being bought by Tata in 2022, with financial pressures worsening after Pakistan banned Indian carriers from its airspace last year.

A prolonged Iran war will put further pressure on Air India’s lucrative western routes, which are already under pressure due to Pakistan’s sanctions.

Air India is chaired by N Chandrasekaran, who is also the chairman of the Tata Group. Singapore Airlines holds 25% stake in Air India.