Air India board to review costs, CEO search

Names from Air India, Singapore Airlines, and Europe emerge as contenders for the next CEO role

The board of Air India, chaired by N Chandrasekaran, will convene on May 7 to deliberate on key strategic issues, including cost-saving initiatives, CEO selection and financial results for FY26, sources said.

  The Tata Group-owned carrier is estimated to have incurred losses exceeding ₹22,000 crore in the financial year ended March 2026. The situation has been aggravated by the ongoing West Asia conflict, which has led to airspace restrictions and longer flight routes, increasing fuel consumption and operating costs.

 To counter spiralling expenses, Air India is exploring measures such as unbundling meals from tickets and offering optional lounge access for business class passengers. These steps could introduce flexible fare categories, though sources clarified that no final decision has been taken. Higher aviation turbine fuel prices—up over 5% for international flights in the latest revision—have further strained operations. The airline has already increased fares and imposed fuel surcharges, but rising ticket prices risk dampening demand. 

The board is also expected to discuss succession planning, with current CEO Campbell Wilson set to step down later this year.