Air India crisis deepens ahead of final Ahmedabad crash report

In under a month from now, India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is expected to release its final report on the crash of London-bound India" class="entity-link entity-organization" data-entity-id="23960" data-entity-type="organization">Air India flight AI‑171 that went down seconds after take‑off from Ahmedabad in western India on 12 June 2025.As the world awaits the findings on the devastating tragedy that claimed 260 lives, a cascade of formidable challenges has deepened the crisis at India" class="entity-link entity-organization" data-entity-id="23960" data-entity-type="organization">Air India.A leadership vacuum, mounting financial losses, airspace closures and a Middle Eastern fuel shock have put the carrier's ambitious turnaround into question. A spate of recent incidents have also cast a shadow on the safety and operational track record of the airline.Last month, India" class="entity-link entity-organization" data-entity-id="23960" data-entity-type="organization">Air India's chief executive officer, Campbell Wilson, resigned midterm as losses for the year ending March 2026 reportedly hit $2.4bn.India" class="entity-link entity-organization" data-entity-id="23960" data-entity-type="organization">Air India is currently the biggest loss-making entity within the Tata Group - which took over the ailing carrier from the government in 2022 - and a point of growing consternation for the Tata board.According to local media, the board met last week and is said to have discussed several cost-cutting measures and warned staff of "tough times". The arrival of senior Singapore Airlines leadership at the group's headquarters in Mumbai city in April, meanwhile, sparked talks of the latter deepening its involvement in the beleaguered carrier. Singapore Airlines is a 25.1% shareholder in India" class="entity-link entity-organization" data-entity-id="23960" data-entity-type="organization">Air India.India" class="entity-link entity-organization" data-entity-id="23960" data-entity-type="organization">Air India said it would not comment on the BBC's detailed questionnaire, but aviation experts say Wilson's exit creates a void at a time when the airline desperately needs someone to steer it through the turbulence."They needed a clear vision right now. India" class="entity-link entity-organization" data-entity-id="23960" data-entity-type="organization">Air India had given itself a five-year plan to revamp itself after the privatisation. But one can't really say that it's been a happy ride so far. Between their plan and its implementation, there have been big and growing gaps," Jitendra Bhargava, a former executive director at India" class="entity-link entity-organization" data-entity-id="23960" data-entity-type="organization">Air India, told the BBC.