Air India has terminated more than 1,000 employees over the past three years due to ethical violations, including misuse of staff travel benefits and other compliance breaches, according to the airline’s CEO and Managing Director Campbell Wilson.
Speaking at a recent internal town hall meeting, Wilson said that hundreds of employees are dismissed every year for failing to follow company rules. He stressed that employees must maintain ethical conduct even when not under supervision.
The Tata Group-owned airline, which currently has around 24,000 employees, has taken strict disciplinary action in cases involving misconduct such as smuggling items from flights and allowing excess baggage without proper charges.
Wilson also highlighted widespread misuse of the Employee Leisure Travel (ELT) scheme, noting that over 4,000 employees were found involved in irregularities, with corrective actions and penalties already being implemented.
In addition to disciplinary measures, Air India has introduced cost-cutting initiatives, including pausing annual salary increments and reducing non-essential spending, as it faces financial pressure.
The CEO warned that the airline could face a “very difficult year” depending on geopolitical conditions, particularly in the Middle East.
The Air India Group, which includes Air India and Air India Express, is estimated to have incurred losses exceeding ₹22,000 crore in the financial year ending March 2026.
