Archive · 25 Sep 2026
Air India CEO Wilson’s Pay Nears ₹43 Crore With Incentives
Campbell Wilson was the chief executive of Air India during FY26.
The airline reported that he received ₹25.22 crore in salary that year.
It also approved another ₹17.74 crore in payments after the year ended.
Most of that additional amount replaced shares that were part of a long-term incentive plan.
The rest was a one-time bonus for his work in FY25.
It is not clear whether all of the extra money has already been paid.
Air India had a difficult year, with losses rising and revenue falling.
Wilson also oversaw major changes, including airline mergers and a large aircraft order.
He plans to leave on 28 September, with Tewolde Gebremariam expected to replace him.
Campbell Wilson received ₹25.22 crore in gross salary from Air India in FY26, according to its annual return.
Air India separately approved ₹17.74 crore in incentives, including ₹15.24 crore in cash replacing equity and a ₹2.5 crore bonus.
Mint could not independently verify whether the additional incentive package has been disbursed.
Air India’s consolidated loss more than doubled to ₹22,238 crore in FY26, while revenue fell to ₹71,870 crore.
Wilson is scheduled to step down on 28 September and will be succeeded by former Ethiopian Airlines chief Tewolde Gebremariam.
- Who
- Campbell Wilson, Air India’s outgoing chief executive and managing director; Tewolde Gebremariam is expected to succeed him.
- What
- Wilson received ₹25.22 crore in FY26 salary and was separately approved for ₹17.74 crore in incentives.
- When
- The remuneration relates to FY26; the additional package was approved after the year ended, and Wilson is scheduled to step down on 28 September.
- Where
- Air India; the filings were made with India’s Registrar of Companies.
- Why
- The additional payments included cash replacing long-term incentive-plan equity and a one-time reward for Wilson’s stated success in FY25.
Compensation Rationale
Performance Concerns
Basis for the additional payment
Compensation Rationale
Air India approved ₹15.24 crore as cash in lieu of equity under its long-term incentive plan and granted a ₹2.5 crore reward for Wilson’s stated success in FY25.
Performance Concerns
The board resolution did not cite performance during FY26, Wilson’s final full year, when the airline faced higher costs, longer routes and increased regulatory scrutiny.
Assessment of Wilson’s tenure
Compensation Rationale
Wilson oversaw the consolidation of Tata’s airline businesses, a 600-aircraft order book and a $400 million legacy-fleet retrofit program.
Performance Concerns
During his tenure, Air India’s consolidated FY26 loss more than doubled, revenue declined, and the airline faced disruption following the June 2025 AI171 crash and the closure of Pakistani airspace.
- FY26 salary
- ₹25.22 crore in gross salary
- Additional incentives
- ₹17.74 crore approved separately
- Long-term incentive payment
- ₹15.24 crore in cash in lieu of equity
- One-time performance reward
- ₹2.5 crore for FY25
- FY26 consolidated loss
- ₹22,238 crore, compared with ₹10,859 crore a year earlier
- FY26 revenue
- ₹71,870 crore, down from ₹78,636 crore
- Succession
- Tewolde Gebremariam is expected to succeed Wilson on 28 September