The Air India Group has revealed a series of significant leadership changes as it prepares for the merger of Air India and Vistara, which is set to be finalized on 12 November 2024. The leadership reshuffle marks a critical step in aligning both airlines as part of Air India Group’s broader strategy to strengthen its position in the global aviation market.
Vinod Kannan to Lead Merger Integration
Vinod Kannan, the current CEO of Vistara, will continue to play a central role in the integration process. Appointed as the Chief Integration Officer, Kannan will oversee the merger of Air India and Vistara, ensuring that the integration is smooth and efficient. He will also serve as a member of the Air India Management Committee, reporting directly to Air India CEO Campbell Wilson. Kannan’s leadership will be crucial in merging the operations and cultures of the two airlines, leveraging his deep experience in both strategic and operational aspects of the aviation business.
Deepak Rajawat to Join Air India Express as CFO
Deepak Rajawat, who has served as Vistara’s Chief Commercial Officer, will transition to a key financial leadership role at Air India Express. Rajawat has been appointed Chief Financial Officer of the low-cost subsidiary, where he will report to CEO Aloke Singh. In his new role, Rajawat will play a vital part in streamlining financial operations and contributing to the strategic initiatives within the Air India Group. Additionally, Rajawat will work alongside Group CFO Sanjay Sharma to drive the broader financial strategy for the group.
Flight Operations Leadership Changes
In the flight operations domain, Capt. Hamish Maxwell, Vistara’s Senior Vice President of Flight Operations, will take on an advisory role at Air India Express. Maxwell’s extensive experience in flight operations will be instrumental during the transition period, helping guide the integration of operational processes. Meanwhile, Capt. Pushpinder Singh, the current Chief Operations Officer of Air India Express, will return to his role as a pilot. A successor for Capt. Singh will be announced in due course.
Other Key Leadership Movements
In addition to the changes in flight operations and finance, several other senior leaders from Vistara will transition into new roles within the broader Tata group of companies. Deepa Chadha, Vistara’s Senior Vice President of HR & Corporate Affairs, and Vinod Bhatt, the airline’s Chief Information Officer, will take on senior positions in other Tata group companies. Niyant Maru, Vistara’s CFO, will retire after completing his tenure, which included overseeing the crucial phase of the merger.
Despite these changes, Air India Group confirmed that all other senior leadership positions within the organization will remain unchanged, ensuring continuity in the ongoing transformation of the airline.
A Vision for the Future
Campbell Wilson, CEO of Air India, expressed optimism about the next phase of the airline’s journey, stating, “The four Tata airlines have worked diligently over the last two years to prepare for this complex merger. We are excited to finalize our leadership structure, which brings together talent from across the Group to drive Air India’s next phase of growth.”
With the merger of Air India and Vistara set to create a larger, more competitive entity in the global airline industry, the leadership changes are aimed at leveraging the strengths of both airlines to build a unified and dynamic organization.
About Air India
Founded by aviation pioneer J.R.D. Tata in 1932, Air India has been a cornerstone of India’s aviation industry, offering a mix of domestic and international connectivity. After being reacquired by the Tata Group in 2022, Air India embarked on a bold transformation under its Vihaan.AI program, designed to elevate the airline’s global standing and operational efficiency.
Currently in the “Climb” phase of its transformation, Air India is focused on improving operational excellence and enhancing customer experience. The airline is a proud member of the Star Alliance, which provides passengers with seamless global connectivity. Air India’s low-cost subsidiary, Air India Express, serves key routes within India and neighboring regions, rounding out the airline group’s comprehensive offering in both the full-service and budget airline markets.
With the merger between Air India and Vistara now on the horizon, these management changes signal a focused effort to drive growth, integration, and innovation across the group, ultimately positioning Air India as a global leader in the aviation sector.