In a recent announcement, Air India introduced Klaus Goersch as the new Executive Vice President and Chief Operations Officer. This appointment comes alongside various other senior-level changes within the airline.
Goersch, who possesses a license to pilot B777/787 aircraft, will oversee several key areas, including flight operations, engineering, ground operations, Integrated Operations Control, and cabin crew functions. He brings a wealth of experience from similar roles at British Airways and Air Canada, making him well-suited for his new responsibilities.
The creation of this role also reflects a strategic focus on harmonizing operating procedures across the four Tata airlines. Goersch’s mandate extends to overseeing the Airbus A350 entry-into-service program and supporting the establishment of the airline’s new training academy.
In addition to Goersch’s appointment, Manish Uppal, who transitioned from AirAsia India, has been named Senior Vice President for flight operations. Meanwhile, Henry Donohoe’s role in corporate safety, security, and quality will be expanded to include emergency response. These changes aim to enhance the airline’s overall safety and operational efficiency.
As part of this restructuring, some responsibilities within the airline are being reallocated. For example, inflight product and service design functions, previously led by Sandeep Verma, will now fall under Rajesh Dogra’s Customer Experience portfolio to ensure cohesive customer interfaces.
Pankaj Handa will take the lead in ground operations, Choorah Singh will serve as Divisional Vice President for the Integrated Operations Control Center, and JuLi Ng will step into the role of Divisional Vice President for cabin crew.
Campbell Wilson, Managing Director and CEO of Air India, expressed that these changes were made with a view to managing succession, optimizing talent, streamlining the organization, and positioning it for future growth and success.
Klaus Goersch, in particular, was noted for his wealth of knowledge and experience that will significantly contribute to Air India’s ongoing transformation efforts. The airline remains dedicated to building strong leadership to elevate its standing in global aviation.
These changes follow the Tata Group’s takeover of Air India in January last year. As part of Tata’s consolidation efforts, AirAsia India is merging with Air India Express, and Vistara is set to combine with Air India. This strategic consolidation aims to create a more streamlined and efficient operation within the Tata airline group.
As Air India continues to evolve and adapt to the changing aviation landscape, these appointments and restructuring efforts signal the airline’s commitment to maintaining high standards of safety, quality, and operational excellence.
