Air India CEO Campbell Wilson stated that his successor will face significant operational challenges as the airline deals with a ban on Pakistan's airspace, fallout from the Iran war, and a strong U.S. dollar.
Wilson, who announced his resignation last month, said he would leave in a couple of months.
"The next four years is going to be just as challenging as the past, albeit in a different way," Wilson said at a Wings Club lunch event in New York. "And so the person that takes over will have their hands full, but I want to make sure the right person is in place to carry that forward."
According to Reuters, Singapore Airlines executive Vinod Kannan and Air India's commercial head Nipun Aggarwal are the two frontrunners for the CEO position.
Air India has reported heavy losses and its image has been damaged by a series of safety lapses.
Wilson said it was always clear that he would hold a four-year term, but he would take steps to help his successor.
"I'm going to be flexible for as long as it takes for them to find someone and make sure that we do a good transition," Wilson said.
