Campbell Wilson, currently the CEO of Singapore Airlines (SIA) budget arm Scoot, has been appointed as the MD and CEO of Air India. He will bid adieu there on June 15. Tata-SIA JV Vistara's former CEO Leslie Thng will succeed him at Scoot. With full service AI and Vistara and low cost AI Express and AirAsia India in its fold, the Tatas have selected someone who has rich experience of running both these models.
The appointment of Wilson, who has been in the airline industry for 26 years, is subject to getting required regulatory approvals. The Tata Group had earlier selected former Turkish Airlines chairman Ilker Ayci as AI MD & CEO. Later Ayci declined to take up this offer, prompting the Tata group to launch a fresh hunt for a CEO.
Tata Group and AI chairman N Chandrasekaran said: “I am delighted to welcome Campbell to Air India. He is an industry veteran having worked in key global markets cutting across multiple functions. ”
Wilson said: “It is a honour to be selected to lead the iconic Air India and be a part of the highly respected Tata Group. 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.”
