Air India CEO race narrows to Singapore Airlines' Vinod Kannan and insider Nipun Aggarwal

Key facts

• Vinod Kannan is senior vice president of sales and marketing at Singapore Airlines and former CEO of Vistara.
• Nipun Aggarwal is Air India's chief commercial officer and chairman of Air India Express.
• Campbell Wilson resigned as Air India CEO in April 2026 amid persistent losses and regulatory scrutiny.
• Singapore Airlines holds a roughly 25% stake in Air India; Tata Sons owns the rest.
• Air India is under heightened regulatory scrutiny after a fatal crash last year.
• Pakistan banned Indian carriers from its airspace in April 2025, increasing flight times and fuel costs.
• The Iran war has driven up operational costs and caused disruptions for Air India.
• The Tata Sons board is actively deliberating but has not ruled out a dark-horse candidate.

Two frontrunners emerge in CEO search

Singapore Airlines executive Vinod Kannan and Air India's commercial head Nipun Aggarwal have emerged as the two leading candidates to become the next chief executive of Air India, according to two sources with direct knowledge of the matter. The development signals that the search to replace Campbell Wilson, who resigned in April, is nearing its conclusion. The board of Tata Sons, the majority owner of the airline, is actively discussing both names, one of the sources said. No final decision has been taken, and it remains possible that another candidate could emerge as the favorite. A spokesperson for Tata Sons did not respond to a request for comment, and Air India declined to comment. Neither Kannan nor Aggarwal responded to messages seeking comment.

Why the CEO choice matters now

The selection comes at a critical juncture for Air India, India's second-largest airline. The carrier is grappling with heavy losses, heightened regulatory scrutiny following a deadly crash last year, and operational disruptions from the Iran war, which has driven up costs. Additionally, Pakistan's airspace ban on Indian carriers, imposed in April 2025 after military tensions, continues to force longer flight paths to Europe and North America, increasing block times and fuel burn. Whoever takes the helm will need to deliver financial discipline, regulatory rehabilitation, and operational resilience simultaneously. The next CEO must also navigate the complexities of Air India's ownership structure: Singapore Airlines holds roughly a 25% stake, with Tata Sons owning the remainder. The new chief will require the confidence of both shareholders.

Vinod Kannan: A Singapore Airlines veteran with Indian roots

Vinod Kannan currently serves as senior vice president of sales and marketing at Singapore Airlines. He began his career with the airline in 2001 and has held a range of roles since. Notably, Kannan was the CEO of Vistara, the former joint venture between Tata and Singapore Airlines that was later merged into Air India. This gives him rare first-hand experience running an Indian full-service carrier through a merger. Born in India, Kannan is one of the youngest executives to climb the ladder at Singapore Airlines. His deep familiarity with Singapore Airlines' service philosophy and operating playbook, combined with recent experience in the Indian market, makes him a strong candidate. For Tata Sons, he offers a blend of international standards and local knowledge that few candidates can match.

Nipun Aggarwal: The insider championing continuity

Nipun Aggarwal has been at Air India since January 2022, essentially from the day Tata Group reclaimed the airline from the government. He played a key role in bringing Air India 'home' to Tata Sons and later became the airline's chief commercial officer. Aggarwal was instrumental in negotiating the massive fleet renewal deal with Airbus and Boeing for Air India and Air India Express. He currently serves as chairman of Air India Express and oversees marketing, loyalty, and other functions. Aggarwal's pitch is one of continuity. He has been deeply involved in merger integration, fleet renewal, network rebuild, and commercial overhaul. Promoting him would signal that Tata Sons wants to stay the course rather than reset strategy. His internal knowledge and relationships could provide stability during a turbulent period.

The challenges awaiting the next CEO

Whoever gets the nod inherits one of the toughest jobs in global aviation. Air India is still losing money, and regulatory scrutiny has intensified after last year's fatal crash. The Iran war has driven up costs and caused operational disruptions, while Pakistan's airspace ban continues to impact flight efficiency. These external pressures compound the airline's internal struggles. The next chief executive must also manage the expectations of both Tata Sons and Singapore Airlines. The ownership structure means strategic decisions will require alignment between the majority owner and the minority stakeholder. The board's choice will reflect whether it prioritizes deep operational experience in India or a fresh perspective from a global carrier.

What comes next: Decision expected by May 7

The Air India board is preparing for a decision on May 7, according to reports. While Kannan and Aggarwal are the frontrunners, a dark-horse candidate cannot be ruled out. The board's deliberations will weigh the merits of an external candidate with Singapore Airlines pedigree against an internal candidate who knows the airline's transformation from the inside. The outcome will set the strategic direction for Air India as it seeks to recover from losses, restore regulatory confidence, and navigate geopolitical headwinds. The choice will also signal the relationship between Tata Sons and Singapore Airlines going forward. For now, the aviation world watches Bombay House for the final call.

The bottom line

• Vinod Kannan and Nipun Aggarwal are the two frontrunners to become Air India's next CEO.
• The Tata Sons board is deliberating, with a decision expected by May 7.
• Air India faces heavy losses, regulatory scrutiny after a fatal crash, and operational disruptions from the Iran war and Pakistan's airspace ban.
• Kannan offers experience as former Vistara CEO and deep ties to Singapore Airlines; Aggarwal offers continuity and insider knowledge of Air India's transformation.
• Singapore Airlines holds a 25% stake in Air India, making shareholder alignment crucial.
• The next CEO must address financial discipline, regulatory rehabilitation, and operational resilience simultaneously.