Air India brings in ex-aviation secretary Kharola as advisor to Chandrasekaran amid CEO churn
Tata-owned Air India has appointed former civil aviation secretary Pradeep Singh Kharola as executive advisor to chairman N Chandrasekaran, adding him to the management committee. The move comes as the carrier navigates a CEO transition, an INR 26,000 crore FY26 loss, and intensifying regulatory scrutiny.
What happened
Air India appoints former civil aviation secretary Pradeep Singh Kharola as executive advisor to chairman N Chandrasekaran amid CEO transition. Kharola joins
Key facts
- INR 26,000 crore FY26 loss
Why this matters
Kharola's appointment hardens Air India's regulatory moat just as the CEO seat turns over, suggesting partnership or JV conversations should be teed up through Chandrasekaran's office rather than awaiting a permanent CEO.