Former civil aviation sec Kharola joins Air India''s senior mgmt team

New Delhi/ Mumbai, Jun 22 (PTI) Former Civil Aviation Secretary Pradeep Singh Kharola has joined as an Executive Advisor to Air India Chairman N Chandrasekaran and as a full-time member of the loss-making airline's management committee, according to an internal communication.

Kharola, who had served as Air India's Chairman and Managing Director for over two years during the government ownership, is joining the airline's senior management team with immediate effect.

Air India, acquired by the Tata Group in January 2022, is facing multiple headwinds and heavy losses. The carrier's CEO and MD Campbell Wilson has put in his papers and will be leaving in the coming months.


Kharola is no stranger to Air India, having served as the CMD between 2017 and 2019 prior to assuming the role of civil aviation secretary, where he was deeply involved in Air India's privatisation process, Wilson said in an internal communication on Monday.

"As Executive Advisor to the Chairman, he will be a full member of Air India's Management Committee where, with my tenure in its final months, his experience will be invaluable in ensuring a smooth leadership transition to a new CEO," Wilson said.

Post privatisation, Tata Sons Chairman N Chandrasekaran is chairing the Air India board.

In recent weeks, Air India has taken various cost-saving measures, including introducing a no-meals fare and temporarily trimming its flight network.