India, April 6 -- Air India chief executive Campbell Wilson has resigned but will stay on with the company till a successor is found, according to four people familiar with the matter. The development sets the stage for a leadership transition at a time when the airline faces operational disruptions, rising costs and a likely record loss this year.

Wilson's resignation was accepted at a board meeting last week, these people said. "He will continue to be in the system until the board finds his successor - to help in a smooth transition - whenever that happens, until September," one of them said.

Campbell's five-year term was scheduled to end in September next year.

Air India refused to comment on the matter.

The search for a successor ...