New Delhi: Harpreet A De Singh scripted history by becoming the first-ever female CEO of an Indian airline after the government appointed her at the top post of Air India’s (AI) regional subsidiary Alliance Air.
AI CMD Rajiv Bansal issued an order on Friday, saying Singh “will hold the charge of Alliance Air CEO post till further orders,” according to a report in The Times of India. Singh is currently AI’s executive director (flight safety).
The new ED of AI will be Captain Nivedita Bhasin, one of the airline’s most senior commanders currently flying Boeing 787 Dreamliner, according to the report. Given her experience, Captain Bhasin has also been asked to head several other departments.
Harpreet Singh was the first woman pilot selected by Air India in 1988. Though she could not fly due to health reasons, she has been active in the area of flight safety. Singh heads the Indian Women Pilot Association. The association has Bhasin and other senior women commanders like Captain Kshamta Bajpai as well who are seen as role models by budding pilots, reported The Times of India.