From Air India To Air New Zealand: Campbell Wilson’s Next Chapter Takes Shape

Campbell Wilson’s exit from Air India is taking shape as a carefully planned leadership transition rather than a sudden departure, with the airline’s outgoing chief executive now moving towards a boardroom role at Air New Zealand.

Air New Zealand has appointed Wilson as a director on its board, subject to shareholder re-election at its Annual Shareholders’ Meeting on September 24. The New Zealand-born aviation executive is expected to step down as Air India CEO and MD in September, after the airline appointed former Ethiopian Airlines chief Tewolde Gebremariam as his successor on August 5.

Wilson had informed Tata Sons Chairman N Chandrasekaran in 2024 of his intention to step down in 2026, according to Air India. His resignation was formally announced on April 7. The airline said he would continue until a successor was appointed and in place.

His departure, however, comes against a challenging backdrop. Air India has faced financial losses, operational difficulties and heightened safety scrutiny, prompting speculation over whether performance pressures influenced the decision. There is no public evidence that Wilson was forced out, and he himself said in June that he did not plan to take another full-time airline executive role.

Instead, Wilson said he wanted to explore advisory boards, teaching and mentoring, making his new Air New Zealand role closely aligned with that plan.

Air New Zealand’s choice reflects Wilson’s three decades of aviation experience, including senior roles at Singapore Airlines, leadership of Air India’s transformation and involvement with major global aviation bodies.

Meanwhile, Gebremariam has been brought in for the next phase of Air India’s journey. His more than decade-long leadership of Ethiopian Airlines was marked by fleet expansion, international growth, crisis management and transformation.

The contrast is striking: Wilson helped rebuild Air India; Gebremariam has been tasked with taking that rebuilt airline into its next phase of growth, efficiency and profitability.