Air India names Captain Basil Kwauk as new COO

Air India Tuesday announced Captain Basil Kwauk as its new Chief Operations Officer (COO), effective January 2025.

“Basil brings a wealth of experience from his 25-year career with Singapore Airlines and Vistara. We look forward to his leadership as we enter the next phase of transformation,” Air India chief executive Campbell Wilson said in an internal email. ET had reviewed the email.

Kwauk, an accomplished pilot and mechanical engineer, has extensive experience flying aircraft ranging from Airbus A319s to Boeing 787s. He will relocate to Delhi in the coming weeks.


Captain Klaus Goersch, who has served as COO and played a key role in the airline’s merger process, will step down at the end of December to assume a senior role in the United States closer to his family.

Wilson also expressed gratitude to Goersch, stating, “Klaus’s contributions during a pivotal time for Air India have been invaluable.”