Kolkata: Nipun Aggarwal, who is currently the Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) and Transformation Officer of Air India, is ahead in the race to take over as the new CEO of the troubled airline, reports have stated. Air India, which moved to the fold of the Tatas in January 2022 but has been in the news mostly for the wrong reasons. The airline continues to face significant financial and operational challenges and outgoing CEO Campbell Wilson will leave after a successor is found. Aggarwal was chosen as the chairman of Air India Express in April last year. The report in The Economic Times said two expat airline executives are also on the short list of the Air India board. The Air India board has eight members of whom three are representatives of Tata Sons. There are an equal number of independent directors. Singapore Airlines is a 25.1% shareholder in Air India and its CEO Goh Choon Phong is also on the AI board.

Who is Nipun Aggarwal?

Nipun Aggarwal is not only an old AI hand but also a former senior vice-president of Tata Sons. Earlier in his career Aggarwal has worked in investment banking. He was also in the team that worked to get the company in the Tata fold from the government. Aggarwal had a significant role to play in the expansion plans of AI. He also helped in drawing up the flight network to Europe and North America and dovetailing to schedules to help passengers catch connecting flights.

Loss of Rs 20,000

According to reports Air India is facing a loss of abour Rs 20,000 crore in the last financial year. The company’s initial plan of breaking even within five years has now been pushed back. Among the setbacks is the accident in Ahmedabad in 2025 that killed close to 270 people.