Tata Sons Appoints Former Civil Aviation Secretary Pradeep Singh Kharola as Advisor to Steady Air India

Tata Sons has added former civil aviation secretary Pradeep Singh Kharola as an advisor to its aviation business, aiming to support Air India as it faces heightened regulatory attention and a search for a new chief executive, as per The Economic Times report. 

Advisor Appointment Targets Regulatory and Leadership Challenges 

Kharola, a 1985 batch IAS officer, served as civil aviation secretary from February 2019 to September 2021 and oversaw the privatisation that led to Tata’s acquisition of Air India in January 2022.  

His role will focus on strengthening Air India’s engagement with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and other government bodies during a period of increased oversight. 

Regulatory pressure on Air India 

Parliamentary data show the DGCA issued 84 show‑cause notices to Air India over the past 2 years, while its low‑cost arm Air India Express received 65. By comparison, IndiGo received 98 notices despite a larger fleet.  

The DGCA recently fined Air India for operating an aircraft eight times without a valid airworthiness permit, holding CEO Campbell Wilson accountable. 

Read More: Tata Trusts Reviews Governance at Sir Ratan Tata Trust Amid Maharashtra Ordinance! 

Leadership transition underway 

As per the report, Tata Group has begun searching for a successor to CEO Campbell Wilson. Kharola’s appointment coincides with this search, providing continuity in government liaison and safety review processes, especially after the Boeing 787 accident that claimed 260 lives last year. 

Background of the advisor 

Before his civil service tenure, Kharola held the chairmanship of Air India and played a key role in the airline’s privatisation. Sources say he was handpicked by Tata Sons chairman N Chandrasekaran for his experience in sensitive government interactions. 

Conclusion 

Tata Sons’ decision to bring Pradeep Singh Kharola on board as an advisor reflects an effort to address regulatory scrutiny and leadership uncertainty at Air India. His experience in civil aviation administration and prior involvement with the airline’s privatisation are expected to aid the carrier’s engagement with authorities. 

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