Air India announced on Tuesday that CEO Campbell Wilson has resigned after nearly four years in charge, as the airline continues to face persistent losses and increased regulatory scrutiny following a crash last year that killed 260 people.

Wilson’s departure comes just days after Air India’s domestic rival, IndiGo, appointed aviation veteran Willie Walsh as its next CEO. Both of India’s largest carriers are navigating challenges from the ongoing Middle East conflict as well as domestic operational issues.

The airline stated that Wilson, a former Singapore Airlines executive, had informed Air India chairman N. Chandrasekaran in 2024 of his intention to step down this year. He will remain in his role until a successor is appointed. A board committee has been formed to identify Wilson’s replacement in the coming months. His tenure was originally set to continue until 2027.

Chandrasekaran acknowledged the challenges faced by the airline, including post-COVID supply chain disruptions affecting aircraft delivery and retrofit programs, as well as major geopolitical headwinds.

Since taking over, Wilson oversaw an overhaul of the engineering department and the refurbishment of Air India’s fleet despite supply constraints. Aviation analyst Brendan Sobie described his tenure as effective “in very tough circumstances,” but noted the Tata Group will face pressure to select the right candidate following IndiGo’s high-profile appointment of Walsh.

Regulatory scrutiny has intensified over the past year. Air India was reprimanded for safety lapses, including flying aircraft without airworthiness certificates and failing to check emergency equipment. In December, the airline admitted an urgent need for improvements in process discipline, communication, and compliance culture.

Air India operates a fleet of 191 aircraft and has orders for over 500 more. Despite the Tata Group’s acquisition in 2022, the airline has continued to post losses, worsened by Pakistan banning Indian carriers from its airspace last year. Air India and its low-cost subsidiary, Air India Express, reported a combined loss of 98.08 billion rupees ($1.05 billion) in the 2024–2025 financial year.