Air India’s Senior Level Appointments and Organizational Restructuring

Air India recently made significant senior-level appointments, including Klaus Goersch as the Executive Vice President and Chief Operations Officer. This move signals a broader restructuring effort within the airline, aimed at optimizing talent and enhancing operational efficiency.

Klaus Goersch’s Appointment and Responsibilities

Klaus Goersch has been appointed to oversee various critical functions at Air India, including flight operations, engineering, ground operations, Integrated Operations Control, and cabin crew management. His extensive experience, including roles in British Airways and Air Canada, brings valuable insights to Air India’s ongoing transformation efforts.

Transition in Leadership and Advisory Roles

R S Sandhu, the incumbent chief of operations, will transition to an advisory role focusing on harmonizing operating procedures across Tata airlines, managing the Airbus A350 entry-into-service program, and supporting the establishment of Air India’s new training academy.

Other Key Appointments and Expanded Roles

• Manish Uppal, formerly with AirAsia India, has been appointed as Senior Vice President for flight operations.
• Henry Donohoe’s role in corporate safety, security, and quality will now include emergency response, expanding his title to Senior Vice President for safety, security, and quality.
• Sandeep Verma’s inflight product and service design functions will move under Rajesh Dogra’s Customer Experience portfolio.
• Pankaj Handa, Choorah Singh, and JuLi Ng will lead ground operations, Integrated Operations Control Centre, and cabin crew functions, respectively.

Reporting Structure and Organizational Streamlining

The new appointments and responsibilities align with Air India’s strategy to streamline operations and enhance customer experience. Goersch, Dogra, and Donohoe will directly report to Air India’s Managing Director and CEO Campbell Wilson. This restructuring aims to optimize talent within the Tata airline group, positioning Air India for future growth and success.

Commitment to Leadership Development and Growth

Campbell Wilson emphasized Air India’s commitment to building top leadership and investing in resources essential for the airline’s growth and global standing. The ongoing consolidation within the Tata Group’s airline business, including the merger of AirAsia India and Vistara with Air India Express and Air India, respectively, reflects a strategic approach to strengthen and expand the airline’s market presence.

Air India’s strategic appointments and organizational restructuring underscore a focused effort to navigate industry challenges, enhance operational efficiency, and elevate customer experiences in the competitive aviation landscape.