Uncertainties impacting travel demand can’t derail us, says Air India chief Wilson

There are many uncertainties impacting overall travel demand, but those cannot “derail us”, Air India chief Campbell Wilson said on Wednesday.

The Tata Group-owned airline is estimated to incur a loss of Rs 4,000 crore due to the Pakistan airspace closure, he said and mentioned various uncertainties that are impacting travel demand globally.

“I think the operative word in 2025 is uncertainty. Uncertainty in global trade policy, global stability and peace, and politics. I think that does have an impact on the demand environment,” the airline’s CEO and MD said.

The airline has faced various headwinds in recent times, especially the fatal crash of a Dreamliner aircraft that killed 260 people on June 12.

Air India was hit by a few things that were unprecedented. Apart from the plane crash, there was the Pakistan conflict and other issues, Wilson said.

The closure of Pakistan airspace affects the flights to North America and Europe, as the flights are taking longer routes.

He said the estimated loss due to the Pakistan airspace closure is Rs 4,000 crore.

According to him, there was also closure of the Middle East airspace due to the Israel-Iran conflict, a 50 per cent tariff imposed by the US and the constraints on H-1B visa, of which India is a large consumer.

“... so all of these things are quite unprecedented shocks to the system. And so, this year will be quite challenging from a business perspective.

“But it can’t derail us, it won’t derail us,” Wilson said and added that the vision is to make Air India a world-class global airline with an Indian heart.

Currently, Air India has a fleet of around 190 aircraft.