Indian airlines: Transition blues in turbulent times

Mumbai: Three Indian airlines that carry over 90 per cent of domestic flyers are in transition with CEO departures.

With Air India officially announcing the planned departure of Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director Campbell Wilson on Tuesday, he joins the list of two other airline leaders who have already departed from their respective corner offices.

Aloke Singh, Managing Director of Air India Express, which is the low-cost arm of Air India, left the airline after completing his five-year tenure on March 19 while IndiGo announced the sudden exit of Dutch man Pieter Elbers on March 10.


IndiGo has appointed former British Airways CEO William Walsh as the new CEO subject to regulatory approvals.

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On the other hand, Air India Board has set up a committee to find Wilson's successor in the coming months and he will continue in the twin positions till a replacement comes in place.

Air India Express has also not yet announced a successor for Singh, who is now with IndiGo as its chief strategy officer.

In the fast-growing domestic Indian aviation market where apprehensions of duopoly are a reality, the ways of Air India Group and IndiGo are key, both in terms of consumer choices and future growth trajectory.