Air India has 'enormous' potential: CEO Campbell Wilson
New Delhi (PTI): Air India has "enormous" potential and efforts are on to make the group a significant international player, its CEO Campbell Wilson said on Monday.
Addressing the media virtually, Wilson further said the process of integration of Vistara with Air India is underway and is now awaiting approval from the Competition Commission of India (CCI).
The integration of Air India Express and AIX Connect, earlier known as AirAsia India, is also underway.
Air India has enormous potential and unprecedented opportunities. The group is working on becoming a significant international player, he said.
On February 14, Air India announced placing an order for 470 planes, including 70 wide-body aircraft.
Wilson said the funding would be through a combination of various sources.
The Tata Group took over Air India in January last year.
Air India has placed an order for 470 planes with Airbus and Boeing, and there is also an option to acquire another 370 aircraft.
Out of the firm order for 470 planes, 250 are from Airbus and 220 from Boeing.
"We don't have a timeline... will evaluate the market," Wilson said with respect to exercising the option to purchase another 370 planes.
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Ceasefire holds, no DGMO talks today: Indian Army clarifies amid media speculation
Jammu: The Indian Army on Sunday dismissed reports of a scheduled DGMO-level meeting with Pakistan, confirming that no such talks are planned and that the ceasefire agreement between the two countries remains in effect without an expiry date.
A statement issued by the Defence Ministry addressed growing media speculation and public queries regarding the status of the ceasefire and the possibility of renewed hostilities. “No DGMO talks are scheduled today. Regarding the continuation of the break in hostilities, as decided during the DGMO interaction on May 12, there is no expiry date,” the statement read.
The ceasefire, agreed upon in the May 12 DGMO-level interaction, marked a significant de-escalation in tensions along the Line of Control (LoC) and the International Border (IB). However, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has reiterated that trade relations with Pakistan and the Indus Water Treaty will remain suspended despite the ceasefire.
During recent visits to military installations, including the 15 Corps headquarters in Badami Bagh, Jammu and Kashmir, and the Indian Air Force base in Bhuj, Gujarat, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh underscored that the ceasefire will be upheld only if Pakistan ceases support for terrorism. “India has placed Pakistan on probation. Any hostile act will receive a firm and appropriate response,” Singh warned.
Meanwhile, the Indian security establishment—comprising the army, police, and intelligence agencies—continues to maintain high alert levels nationwide. Forces are closely monitoring suspected terrorist operatives, overground workers (OGWs), and sympathizers.
Despite the ceasefire, border residents in Jammu and Kashmir continue to bear the brunt of earlier hostilities. Heavy mortar shelling by the Pakistan Army in recent weeks forced hundreds to flee their homes, particularly in Poonch, Rajouri, Baramulla, and Kupwara districts. Over 200 homes and commercial establishments were reportedly damaged or destroyed.
Now, cautiously hopeful for stability, many displaced families have started returning to their villages to resume agricultural and pastoral activities.
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