Air India’s search for a new chief executive is closing in on a final decision, with Singapore Airlines executive Vinod Kannan and Air India’s commercial head Nipun Aggarwal emerging as the two frontrunners for the role. Two sources with direct knowledge of the matter confirmed the development, as the board of Tata Sons, the majority owner of the airline, actively deliberates between the two names.
The search was triggered after New Zealander Campbell Wilson announced his resignation last month, stepping down as the airline faced persistent financial losses and heightened regulatory scrutiny. No final decision has been taken, and sources indicate that another candidate could still emerge as the preferred choice. Tata Sons, Air India, Aggarwal, and Kannan all declined to comment or did not respond to requests for comment.
Kannan currently serves as Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Singapore Airlines, which holds approximately 25% stake in Air India. He previously led Vistara, the former joint venture between Tata and Singapore Airlines, before its merger into Air India, and has been with Singapore Airlines since 2001 across a range of senior roles. Aggarwal joined Air India in January 2022 following the Tata Sons takeover from the Indian government, and has been instrumental in the commercial transformation of several Tata Group companies.
Source: The Hindu
