Air India Group has announced several leadership changes as it prepares for the merger of Air India and Vistara, scheduled to take effect on November 12, 2024. This integration marks a significant step in consolidating the Tata Group’s aviation assets, reducing its portfolio from four airlines to two and positioning Air India for future growth.
Vinod Kannan, currently the CEO of Vistara and also serving as Chief Integration Officer for the merger, will continue in his integration role post-merger. Reporting directly to Air India CEO Campbell Wilson, Kannan will join the Management Committee, facilitating a smooth transition.
In a shift to the leadership team at Air India Express, Deepak Rajawat, Vistara’s Chief Commercial Officer, has been appointed Chief Financial Officer of the newly expanded Air India Express. He will report to Air India Express CEO Aloke Singh and support Group CFO Sanjay Sharma on strategic projects. As part of this reshuffle, Vikas Agarwal, the current CFO of Air India Express, will transition to a new role within Air India.
Hamish Maxwell, Vistara’s SVP of Flight Operations, has taken on an advisory role for Air India Express, working closely with CEO Aloke Singh. Meanwhile, Pushpinder Singh, Chief Operations Officer of Air India Express, will return to a flying role, with his successor to be named soon.
Additionally, Deepa Chadha, Vistara’s SVP of HR and Corporate Affairs, and Vinod Bhatt, Chief Information Officer, will take on senior roles within other Tata group companies. Niyant Maru, Vistara’s CFO, will retire at the end of his term after extending his tenure to oversee the merger’s completion.
Air India Group CEO & MD Campbell Wilson praised the leadership team and acknowledged the contributions of departing executives. “Over the past two years, the four Tata airlines have worked hard to prepare for and execute one of the most complex mergers in aviation history, consolidating from four airlines to two amidst dramatic growth and transformation,” Wilson said. “As we approach the end of that process, we are delighted to formalize a Group leadership team that includes colleagues from all four antecedent airlines to drive the next phase of our journey. I would also like to acknowledge those who, whether retiring or taking up other roles within the Tata group, have contributed so significantly to the DNA of what is now the new Air India.”
