Air India CEO confirms ‘COO’ Klaus Had No Security Clearance | Exclusive

New Delhi: Air India CEO Campbell Wilson has confirmed to Republic TV that one of his senior official Klaus Goersch doesn't have the security clearance from the DGCA to deal into sensitive issues related to airline such as threats. Speaking to Republic, Wilson said that Klaus is the Chief Operations Officer (COO) and Executive Vice President (EVP) of Air India but he's not the Chief Operating Office (COO). This comes after Republic newsbreak that some of the recent bomb threats by not brought to the notice of the aviation watchdog by Klaus.

When confronted by Republic TV regarding whether Air India flouted security protocols after bomb threats, CEO Campbell Wilson said that Klaus is not the accountable manager, I am, he's not the COO.

According to the DGCA, the Chief of Operations does not require a security clearance in advance for taking up the sensitive matter.

Speaking to Republic, CEO Campbell Wilson said that every message is reported to an internal committee. We absolutely refute the allegations of the issue to ignore. All the messages are forwarded to an internal committee. We called all the allies to discuss the issue and threat faced by us.

Air India reports all the threats to regulators, he added.

What's the debate around security clearance of COO – Chief Operating Officer  

Security clearance for key managerial positions 

As per 134 of the Aircraft Rules, 1937 and the Civil Aviation Regulation, Section 3, if management position such as CEO, CFO and COO is held by a foreign national, they will require security clearance from MHA.

Air India CEO has confirmed to Republic that ‘COO’ has no security clearance. In an exclusive conversation with Republic, Wilson  confirmed that Klaus Goersch has no security clearance.

In its defence, Air India contended that Klaus is the Chief ‘Operations’ Officer, and not Chief ‘Operating’ Officer and hence as per the rules he does not need a security clearance. It is a minute change in nomenclature that Air India contends as its preliminary defense against DGCA scrutiny.

Who is Klaus?

Klaus in his Linked bio mentioned that he is the Executive Vice President (EVP)  and Chief Operations Officer (COO) of Air India .

As per the Air India Connect message accessed by Republic, Campbell Wilson who is the CEO and Managing Director of Air India since June 2022 confirms that Klaus Goersch joining a “newly created role” as Chief Operations Officer (COO) and as Executive Vice President of Operations. As per the post, Capt Goersh directly reports to the CEO and MD i.e Campbell Wilson.

What are the duties of Klaus?

As Chief Operations Officer (COO), Klaus is responsible for: 

• Airline Flight Operations
• Engineering
• Ground Operations
• Integrated Operations Control Center or (IOCC)
• Responsible to notify bomb threats
• Cabin Crew functions

Former COO tells Republic that clearance is needed

Speaking Exclusively to Republic, RS Sandhu, the immediate predecessor of Klaus Goersch, who served as the Chief of Operations at Air India said, “He is in Management Position for which clearance is needed”.

He further said, “Can they respond to your mail saying that since Klaus is not on board so he doesn't need security clearance keeping in mind the fact he is also a Chief Operations Officer and DGCA CAR says that Other than the board members (Indian + Foreigners) needing security clearance, any foreigner on management positions CEO/COO/CFO would also need security clearance from MHA?"

In another development amid bomb threats to airlines, aviation watch DGCA's Director General Vikram Dev Dutt has been transferred to the coal ministry where he will take charge as the secretary.