Tata Sons has appointed former civil aviation secretary Pradeep Singh Kharola as an advisor for its aviation business, as the group sharpens its focus on reviving Air India amid increasing regulatory scrutiny and leadership changes.

Kharola, a 1985-batch Indian Administrative Service officer, is expected to steer the airline’s communication with the government at a time when the carrier is navigating safety reviews, compliance challenges and internal transition. He earlier served as civil aviation secretary from February 2019 to September 2021 and played a pivotal role in the privatisation process that led to the Tata Group’s takeover of Air India in January 2022. He also previously held the position of Air India chairman.

Sources familiar with the development said Kharola was handpicked by Tata Sons chairman N. Chandrasekaran and has already been closely involved in critical matters, including sensitive government interactions and safety assessments.

The appointment comes at a challenging time for the airline. Following last year’s crash of a Boeing 787 aircraft that resulted in 260 fatalities, Air India’s operations have remained under heightened regulatory watch. A preliminary investigation did not indicate any fault with the aircraft or the airline’s engineering practices as the cause of the crash.

According to data presented in Parliament, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued 84 show cause notices to Air India in the past two years, while its low-cost arm Air India Express received 65 notices. In comparison, rival IndiGo, with nearly double the fleet size received 98 notices during the same period.

Last week, the DGCA penalised Air India for operating an aircraft eight times without a valid airworthiness permit, stating that the lapse had eroded public trust in aviation safety.

Meanwhile, Tata Group has reportedly initiated the search for a successor to CEO Campbell Wilson as part of broader leadership restructuring efforts.

Aviation remains a highly regulated sector, where airlines depend heavily on government clearances. Air India is currently lobbying for permission to use Chinese airspace to mitigate financial pressures arising from restrictions on Indian carriers using Pakistani airspace.

Industry observers note that strengthening government relations is critical for airlines in India. IndiGo too has brought experienced bureaucrats into key corporate roles to manage regulatory and policy engagement.

With Kharola’s administrative experience and familiarity with the aviation ministry’s functioning, Tata Sons appears to be reinforcing its strategy to stabilise operations, rebuild trust and navigate complex regulatory terrain as Air India charts its next growth phase.