New Delhi, June 22 -- Air India has brought back former chairman and managing director Pradeep Singh Kharola to its senior management team, signalling the start of a planned leadership transition as chief executive Campbell Wilson approaches the end of his tenure.

In a message to employees on Monday evening, Wilson announced that Kharola would join the airline with immediate effect as "executive advisor to the chairman" and "become a full member of Air India's management committee".

Tata Sons chairman N. Chandrasekaran is also the chairman of Air India.

Kharola returns to Air India after a long career in public service. He previously served as the airline's chairman and managing director between 2017 and 2019 before moving on to become...