Aloke Singh to step down as chief of Air India Express

Aloke Singh is stepping down as chief executive of Air India Express. Hamish Maxwell, the current chief operating officer, will become the accountable manager. This leadership change occurs as Air India Express integrates its operations and expand...

By ET Online | Updated: Mar 02, 2026, 03.16 PM IST

Aloke Singh will conclude his five-year tenure at Air India Express on March 19, according to a memo to employees, bringing to a close a leadership phase he described as one marked by "defining transformation" for the airline.

In a farewell note to employees, Singh said the carrier had navigated an intricate merger and integration process, built a new brand identity and expanded its fleet four-fold to more than 100 aircraft during his tenure.

He added that the airline had grown from a sub-scale niche operator into India’s third-largest narrow-body carrier, with operations spanning domestic routes and 14 international destinations and a workforce of about 8,300 people.

Reflecting on the period, Singh credited staff for steering the airline through challenges and said what would endure most was the team’s resolve and professionalism during high-pressure moments. "Ours has been a journey without parallel. I would not trade a single chapter," he wrote.

The airline said Chief Operating Officer Hamish Maxwell will take over as accountable manager, a role responsible for operational oversight and regulatory compliance, as the carrier continues its expansion and integration within the broader Air India group restructuring.

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