Air India crisis deepens ahead of final Ahmedabad crash report

Air India is confronting a leadership vacuum and mounting financial losses as it awaits a final report on a fatal 2025 crash [1]. The airline is the biggest loss-making entity within its parent Tata Group [1]. CEO Campbell Wilson resigned last month as projected losses for the year ending March 2026 reportedly hit $2.4 billion [1]. The Tata board has discussed cost-cutting measures and warned staff of "tough times" [1]. Singapore Airlines, a 25.1% shareholder, is considering deeper involvement in the carrier [1]. Jitendra Bhargava, a former Air India executive, said the airline needed a clear vision and that there have been "big and growing gaps" between its five-year turnaround plan and its implementation [1]. Operational lapses have compounded the crisis. In March, a flight to Vancouver was forced to return to Delhi after eight hours due to a lack of regulatory approval for Canadian airspace [1]. Last year, an audit uncovered 51 safety violations at the airline [1]. External pressures include a 10% depreciation of the rupee against the US dollar, which increases costs, and delayed aircraft deliveries due to supply chain issues [1]. The airline has also axed key international routes [1]. The final report on the June 2025 crash of flight AI‑171, which claimed 260 lives, is expected within a month [1]. While financial liabilities from the crash are largely covered, negative findings could further damage the airline's reputation [1].