'Consequences will get higher': Air India CEO

Air India's CEO, Campbell Wilson, has warned employees that consequences for misconduct will become increasingly severe, according to sources quoted by PTI. During an internal townhall, Wilson emphasized that staff should act responsibly even when unsupervised and urged colleagues to report any wrongdoing they observe. The airline's CEO made the remarks amid a crackdown on violations of internal rules, including cases where employees have misused travel privileges.

Since Air India's privatization by the Tata Group in January 2022, nearly 1,000 employees have been terminated for various rule breaches. Wilson's comments also follow a recent incident where an Air India pilot tested positive for a psychoactive substance after an incident in Phuket. In that case, the aircraft lost around 300 feet in altitude during cruise, causing injuries to several passengers and crew.

As a result, Air India and Air India Express have announced plans to screen all pilots for psychoactive substances. Wilson pointed out that despite repeated warnings, there are still instances of employees disregarding company rules and regulations. At the same time, the airline has implemented systems and controls to prevent, detect, and address misconduct, with plans to further tighten these measures.

The CEO's resignation earlier this year and his departure next month comes at a time of leadership change within the company, which has been grappling with increased scrutiny and incidents of misconduct since its privatization.