Air India Welcomes Pradeep Kharola as Executive Advisor Amid Leadership Changes

Air India has appointed Pradeep Singh Kharola as the Executive Advisor to the Chairman, initiating a leadership transition as Campbell Wilson's tenure concludes. Kharola, who has a rich background in public service and previously led Air India, will play a crucial role in ensuring a smooth transition to a new CEO. This appointment comes at a pivotal moment for the airline, which is currently undergoing a significant fleet refurbishment program. Wilson, who resigned earlier this year, is expected to leave the position in September. Read on to learn more about the leadership changes at Air India.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 22, 2026, 21:44 IST

Leadership Transition at Air India

Air India has appointed Pradeep Singh Kharola as the Executive Advisor to the Chairman, marking the beginning of a significant leadership transition as Chief Executive Campbell Wilson nears the conclusion of his term. Kharola brings a wealth of experience from his extensive career in public service and has previously held the position of Chairman and Managing Director of Air India from 2017 to 2019. Following that, he served as Secretary of Civil Aviation, where he played a pivotal role in the privatization of Air India.

In a communication to the staff, Wilson stated that Kharola would assume his new role immediately and would also become a full member of Air India's management committee. "As my tenure approaches its end, his expertise will be crucial for a seamless transition to a new CEO," Wilson mentioned in his message. Kharola's appointment is particularly timely as Air India, under the Tata Group, is currently undergoing a significant fleet refurbishment initiative. Wilson, who resigned in March, is presently in his notice period and is anticipated to depart in September.

Background on Campbell Wilson

Campbell Wilson took on the roles of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Managing Director (MD) of Air India in 2022. With over three decades of extensive experience in the aviation sector, he has worked with both full-service and low-cost airlines. Before his tenure at Air India, Wilson was the CEO of Scoot, a low-cost subsidiary of Singapore Airlines (SIA).