Air India Terminates Over 1,000 Staff in Three Years for Ethical Breaches, CEO Says

Air India has terminated more than 1,000 employees in the past three years for ethical breaches, including smuggling, waiving uncharged excess baggage, and misusing the Employee Leisure Travel (ELT) system, Chief Executive Campbell Wilson said. Wilson disclosed the figure during a town hall meeting with staff on May 8, 2026, emphasizing that misconduct persists despite repeated warnings.

According to Wilson, hundreds of employees are dismissed annually for non-compliance, and staff must uphold standards even when unobserved. The airline has identified widespread misuse of its ELT policy, with over 4,000 employees implicated in policy violations as of March 2026, prompting disciplinary actions and financial penalties.

Air India, which employs around 24,000 people, is undertaking aggressive cost-saving measures, including withholding annual salary increments and restricting non-essential spending. Wilson warned staff of a "very, very difficult year" if operational and financial conditions, particularly in the Middle East, do not improve.

The Air India Group, comprising Air India and Air India Express, is projected to have incurred losses exceeding ₹22,000 crore in the financial year ended March 2026. The airline will continue reviewing internal controls and compliance protocols as part of its restructuring efforts under Tata Group ownership.