Sunil Bhaskaran may pilot Air India's arm after AirAsia India merger

Bhaskaran - a Tata Group veteran -- joined AirAsia India as its CEO and MD on November 15, 2018

Sunil Bhaskaran, AirAsia India’s chief executive officer (CEO) and managing director (MD), is the front-runner to head the low-cost carrier that will take birth after the merger of Air India Express and AirAsia India, sources said.

 In a show of confidence, the airline’s board extended Bhaskaran’s tenure by three years -- until March 2025 -- in a meeting held earlier this year, according to the documents reviewed by Business Standard.

 Moreover, AirAsia India’s board of directors has increased Bhaskaran’s salary twice in 2022 -- first in January by 5 per cent and then in June by 7 per cent, the