Air India CEO Campbell Wilson has resigned before his term was due to end in 2027, following a tenure marred by a fatal crash that killed 260 people. The New Zealand native, who joined after Tata Sons acquired the debt-laden carrier for $2.4 billion in 2022, was tasked with transforming Air India into a world-class airline.

Wilson's departure comes as the airline faces intense scrutiny over safety lapses after the June 2023 crash of a London-bound Boeing Dreamliner in Ahmedabad. His initial response to the tragedy drew criticism for closely resembling an earlier American Airlines condolence message. The incident has raised questions about pilot conduct, with preliminary reports suggesting pilot suicide as a potential cause, though unions have contested this conclusion.

During his tenure, Wilson oversaw major investments including orders for more than 500 new aircraft from Airbus and Boeing, and a $200 million IT system upgrade. He also merged Air India with Vistara, Tata's respected joint venture with Singapore Airlines. His resignation follows another high-profile departure in India's airline industry, with IndiGo's Pieter Elbers stepping down after crew roster issues caused thousands of flight cancellations.