Air India’s board is said to be scouting for a new chief executive to replace current CEO and Managing Director Campbell Wilson, according to two people with direct knowledge of the matter, as the airline faces heightened scrutiny over safety lapses following a deadly crash in June that killed 260 people.

In the wake of what has been described as the world’s deadliest aviation disaster in a decade, regulators flagged a range of concerns, including aircraft being flown without required emergency equipment checks, delays in replacing engine parts, alleged maintenance record forgery, and weaknesses in managing crew fatigue.

Wilson joined Air India in July 2022 after a 26-year career at Singapore Airlines, where he held senior roles across the full-service parent carrier and its wholly owned low-cost unit, Scoot. His term at Air India is understood to run until mid-2027, but the Economic Times reported that leadership could change before then.

Air India is chaired by N. Chandrasekaran, who also chairs its majority owner, Tata Group. Singapore Airlines holds a 25% stake in Air India.

One of the sources told Reuters that Tata Group was unhappy with Wilson last year over performance, despite having given management wide latitude to address long-standing issues after the airline was acquired from the Indian government in 2022.

The sources declined to be identified due to the sensitivity of the matter. Tata Group, Singapore Airlines, Air India and Wilson did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The Economic Times also reported that Chandrasekaran has held discussions with the CEOs of at least two leading UK- and US-based international carriers as potential successors, citing officials familiar with the matter. The newspaper added that Air India Express, the group’s low-cost carrier, could also see leadership changes.

Since Tata’s takeover, the airline has invested heavily in fleet modernisation and network expansion. However, its turnaround efforts have reportedly been complicated by aircraft delivery and refurbishment delays, alongside operational challenges and ongoing safety concerns.

Riyadh Air and Saudia have announced the implementation of the first phase of their Strategic Cooperation Agreement, marking a major step in strengthening connectivity under Saudi Arabia’s National Aviation Strategy.

The partnership builds on a Memorandum of Understanding signed in November 2023 and enables the two airlines to expand travel options for domestic and international passengers.

As part of the first phase, Riyadh Air has established a connection with Saudia’s Passenger Service System (PSS), allowing the carriers to implement their codeshare across their respective technology platforms.

Under the RX-SV codeshare, Riyadh Air will place its “RX” designator on selected Saudia-operated flights from Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport to six domestic destinations: Abha, Al Qassim, Dammam, Jeddah, Medina and Tabuk.

The agreement will give Riyadh Air passengers access to additional destinations worldwide through convenient connections in Riyadh. For example, travelers from Dammam can connect via Riyadh to Madrid on a single ticket, while passengers flying from Kuala Lumpur can connect through Riyadh to Medina.

By using Saudia’s frequent services between Riyadh and the six codeshare destinations, Riyadh Air will offer passengers more convenient connections aligned with the arrival and departure schedules of its flights at Riyadh.

Both airlines operate within the King Khalid International Airport Terminal 1-4 complex, enabling passengers to benefit from streamlined connections, single-ticket journeys and through-checked baggage to their final destinations.

The first phase represents a significant step toward deeper cooperation between Saudi Arabia’s two national carriers and supports the Kingdom’s broader ambitions to expand its global aviation network.

Source: aaco.org

SalamAir has announced the establishment of Salalah’s first-ever airline base, marking a major step in the airline’s expansion and strengthening direct international connectivity from Oman’s Dhofar Governorate.

The new Salalah-based operation will initially serve three international destinations: Jeddah in Saudi Arabia, Chattogram in Bangladesh and Calicut in India. Bookings opened on August 26, with flights scheduled to begin from the end of October as part of SalamAir’s Winter 2026 schedule.

The base follows SalamAir’s expanded operations during the 2026 Khareef season, when the airline increased capacity on the Muscat-Salalah route to as many as 15 daily flights during peak periods.

The airline also introduced special domestic fares for Omani nationals, with one-way tickets starting from OMR 9.99, supporting affordable travel between Muscat and Salalah.

The new base is expected to extend SalamAir’s role beyond the Khareef season by supporting year-round travel demand among residents and expatriate communities in Dhofar while offering more direct access to key regional and international destinations.

Operations from Salalah will be supported by SalamAir’s Airbus A320neo and A321neo fleet. The airline currently operates 18 aircraft, providing additional flexibility to support growing demand across its network.

During the winter season, SalamAir will also operate charter flights linking Salalah with Astana and Almaty in Kazakhstan, supporting inbound tourism from Central Asia.

The Salalah base forms part of SalamAir’s wider strategy to expand its network from key airports across Oman, develop underserved markets and stimulate new travel demand while supporting the growth of the Sultanate’s aviation and tourism sectors.

Source: ZAWYA