New Delhi (17.02.2026): In a decisive move to stem a mounting tide of regulatory and reputational crises, Tata Sons has inducted former Civil Aviation Secretary Pradeep Singh Kharola (Retd IAS: 1985: KN) as a Senior Advisor to Air India. The high-profile appointment coincides with a strategic leadership reshuffle, including the reassignment of the airline’s Global Head of Corporate Communications, signalling a major overhaul of its governance and crisis-response framework.
Currently, the airline is battling arguably its toughest phase since the 2022 takeover, marked by a tragic air disaster, "plagiarism" allegations against its CEO, and significant regulatory penalties.
The Kharola Factor: Bureaucratic Shielding
By bringing in Kharola—who served as Air India’s CMD during its government tenure and later oversaw its privatization as Aviation Secretary—Tata Sons is seeking to bridge the widening gap between the carrier and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
Apparently, Kharola is expected to lead sensitive negotiations with the government. His appointment follows the DGCA’s recent Rs. 1 crore fine on the airline for a major safety lapse: operating an Airbus A320 eight times without a valid airworthiness review certificate. The regulator specifically flagged "eroded public trust" and held the senior leadership accountable for the oversight.
The 'AI 171' Fiasco and Communication Reset
A primary catalyst for the reshuffle is the ongoing fallout from the AI 171 crash in Ahmedabad (June 2025), which claimed 260 lives. The airline’s reputation took a severe hit when CEO Campbell Wilson’s condolence message was hit with plagiarism allegations, with critics pointing out "near-identical" phrasing to a past statement by American Airlines.
Inside the power corridors of Bombay House, the messaging was reportedly viewed as "lacking sensitivity and strategic depth." The reassignment of the Global Head of Communications—a role previously held by veteran Partha Ghosh—is being seen as a direct consequence of this "communication fiasco."
Regulatory Storm and Future Leadership
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is expected to release its final report on the AI 171 disaster soon, a document that could lead to further legal and regulatory liabilities. Industry observers suggest that Kharola’s presence is a "tightening of the reins" by Tata Sons Chairman N. Chandrasekaran, who has recently begun a search for a potential successor to Wilson ahead of his 2027 term end.
