Air India narrows CEO search to SIA exec & their commercial head

Air India has narrowed its search for a new chief executive officer to two candidates, according to Reuters.

The two frontrunners are Vinod Kannan, an executive at Singapore Airlines, and Nipun Aggarwal, Air India’s commercial head.

Search nearing completion after CEO resignation

The development suggests the airline is close to appointing a new CEO, following the resignation of Campbell Wilson in April.

Two sources with direct knowledge of the matter told Reuters that the board of Tata Sons, which owns a majority stake in Air India, is currently discussing both candidates.

No final decision has been made, and it remains possible that another candidate could still emerge, the sources said.

Air India declined to comment, while a spokesperson for Tata Sons did not respond to Reuters’ request for comment.

Singapore Airlines currently owns about a 25 per cent stake in Air India, with the remaining held by Tata Sons.

The appointment of a new CEO is expected to play a key role in shaping the airline’s next phase of restructuring and growth.

Airline faces mounting challenges

The CEO appointment comes at a critical time for Air India, which is dealing with ongoing financial losses and heightened regulatory scrutiny.

The airline has also faced operational disruptions, including rising costs linked to the Iran conflict and restrictions caused by Pakistan’s airspace ban on Indian carriers since April 2025.

Kannan & Aggarwal bring different experience

Kannan currently serves as senior vice president of sales and marketing at Singapore Airlines.

He previously led Vistara, a joint venture between Tata and Singapore Airlines that has since been merged into Air India.

He began his career with Singapore Airlines in 2001 and has held multiple roles within the airline.

Aggarwal, on the other hand, joined Air India in 2022 after Tata Sons took over the airline from the Indian government.

He currently heads the airline’s commercial operations and has played a key role in restructuring efforts across Tata Group companies between 2017 and 2022, according to Air India’s website.

He previously worked in investment banking with Bank of America Merrill Lynch.