Aloke Singh, the current CEO of Air India Express, is set to become the head of Air India’s low-cost airline division starting January 1 of the coming year, as revealed in an internal communication. The Low-Cost Carrier (LCC) business will encompass both AirAsia India and Air India Express.
Air India’s CEO and Managing Director, Campbell Wilson, emphasized in the communication that while the two constituent airlines will maintain their regulatory leadership until the merger is finalized, appointing a single CEO is crucial for clear accountability during the transitional phase. Singh will assume the role of the sole CEO for the Air India LCC airline, effective from January 1, 2023.
As outlined in the internal communication, the current CEO of AirAsia India, Sunil Bhaskaran, will take charge of a new initiative—an aviation training academy.
Following the acquisition of loss-making Air India by the Tata group earlier this year, efforts have been underway to streamline and consolidate its airline business. On November 2, Air India announced an ongoing operational review to integrate the budget carrier AirAsia India with Air India Express, with the merger anticipated to be finalized by the end of 2023. The objective is to establish a unified low-cost carrier within the Air India group, which will be branded as Air India Express post-merger.
AirAsia India commenced operations in 2014, while Air India Express has been operational since 2005. The Tata group currently encompasses four airlines—Air India, Air India Express, AirAsia India, and Vistara, the latter being a joint venture with Singapore Airlines.
On November 29, the Tata group disclosed the merger of Vistara with Air India, wherein Singapore Airlines is set to acquire a 25.1% stake in Air India. This strategic move, subject to regulatory approvals, is expected to be completed by March 2024, making Air India the country’s largest international carrier and the second-largest domestic airline.