Air India has appointed former Civil Aviation Secretary Pradeep Singh Kharola as Executive Advisor to Chairman N Chandrasekaran and a full-time member of its management committee, strengthening the airline's leadership team as it prepares for a change at the top.
The appointment takes immediate effect and comes at a crucial period for the Tata Group-owned carrier, which is navigating operational challenges, financial pressures and an impending CEO transition.
According to an internal communication from Campbell Wilson, Air India's Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Kharola's experience with both the airline and the wider aviation sector will be valuable as the company enters its next phase of leadership.
Kharola is returning to an organisation he knows well.
Before becoming Civil Aviation Secretary, he served as Chairman and Managing Director of Air India between 2017 and 2019, when the airline was still under government ownership.
Wilson noted in the internal communication that Kharola played a significant role in the airline's privatisation journey during his tenure at the Ministry of Civil Aviation.
Key highlights from Kharola's aviation career include:
• Chairman and Managing Director of Air India from 2017 to 2019
• Former Civil Aviation Secretary to the Government of India
• Involved in Air India's privatisation process during his tenure in the ministry
• Now appointed Executive Advisor to Air India Chairman N Chandrasekaran
• Will serve as a full-time member of the airline's management committee
His return brings a combination of airline management experience, government policy expertise and institutional knowledge at a time when Air India is undertaking a major transformation programme.
The development coincides with an upcoming leadership change at the airline.
Wilson said Kharola would play an important role in ensuring continuity as the carrier prepares for a new chief executive.
In the internal communication, Wilson stated that with his tenure entering its final months, Kharola's experience would be invaluable in facilitating a smooth transition to a new CEO.
The leadership reshuffle comes as Air India continues its multi-year turnaround and integration efforts following its acquisition by the Tata Group in January 2022.
Since returning to the Tata fold, the airline has pursued an extensive transformation agenda spanning fleet renewal, network expansion, customer service improvements and operational restructuring.
The appointment also comes against a backdrop of ongoing financial and operational challenges.
Air India has recently introduced several cost-control measures as it works to improve performance and manage expenses.
Among the steps taken in recent weeks are:
• Introduction of a no-meals fare option on select services
• Temporary reductions in parts of the flight network
• Continued efforts to improve operational efficiency
The airline remains in a rebuilding phase as it seeks to strengthen profitability while modernising its operations and fleet.
Industry observers view leadership stability as a key factor in maintaining momentum during large-scale transformation programmes, particularly for legacy carriers undergoing significant organisational change.
Kharola's appointment adds a senior aviation policymaker and former airline executive to Air India's top decision-making body.
His experience spans airline operations, aviation regulation, infrastructure development and public policy, giving him a unique perspective on challenges facing the carrier.
As Executive Advisor to Chairman N Chandrasekaran, he is expected to work closely with the management committee on strategic priorities and organisational continuity.
For Air India, the move reinforces efforts to strengthen leadership depth during a period of transition. With a new chief executive expected in the coming months and the airline continuing its transformation journey under Tata Group ownership, Kharola's return places a veteran aviation administrator back at the centre of one of India's most closely watched airline turnarounds.
Join the conversation
No comments yet
Be the first to share your thoughts!
Sign In to Comment