AAI Leadership Update: IAS Officer Puneet Kansal Gets Additional Charge as Chairman for 3 Months
The Ministry of Civil Aviation has entrusted Puneet Kansal, IAS, Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Civil Aviation, with the additional responsibility of serving as Chairman of the Airports Authority of India (AAI) for a period of three months. The arrangement follows the transfer of Vipin Kumar, IAS (BH:1996), who was serving as Chairman of AAI before the latest administrative change.
According to an official order issued by the Ministry of Civil Aviation on September 29, 2026, Kansal will assume the additional charge from the forenoon of September 30, 2026. He will continue to discharge his existing responsibilities as Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Civil Aviation while also handling the responsibilities associated with the AAI Chairman’s post.
Puneet Kansal Gets Additional Charge of AAI Chairman
The latest order places Puneet Kansal in temporary additional charge of the top leadership position at the Airports Authority of India. The arrangement has been made following the transfer of Vipin Kumar and is intended to provide continuity in the leadership of the statutory aviation body.
Kansal will not relinquish his existing assignment in the Ministry of Civil Aviation as a result of the new responsibility. Instead, he will perform the duties of AAI Chairman alongside his current role as Additional Secretary in the ministry.
The additional charge will remain effective for three months or until further orders, whichever is earlier. This means the arrangement has a defined initial tenure, while the ministry retains the option of issuing further directions before the three-month period ends.
Key Details of the Appointment
The Ministry of Civil Aviation order outlines the key elements of the temporary leadership arrangement. Puneet Kansal is identified as an IAS officer currently serving as Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Civil Aviation, with the additional responsibility of Chairman, Airports Authority of India.
The order was issued on September 29, 2026, with the additional charge taking effect from the forenoon of September 30. The tenure has been fixed at three months or until further orders, whichever is earlier, and the arrangement has been made following the transfer of Vipin Kumar, IAS (BH:1996).
This makes the latest development an additional-charge arrangement rather than a permanent appointment to the AAI Chairman’s post, based on the information contained in the ministry’s order.
Kansal to Continue His Existing Ministry Responsibilities
One of the important aspects of the arrangement is that Kansal will continue to perform his existing responsibilities at the Ministry of Civil Aviation. His appointment as AAI Chairman is therefore being handled as an additional responsibility.
The arrangement places two connected areas of aviation administration under his immediate responsibility. While his existing role involves responsibilities within the Ministry of Civil Aviation, the additional charge gives him responsibility for the leadership of AAI. The ministry has accordingly communicated the arrangement to the relevant officials and authorities associated with the Airports Authority of India.
Order Circulated to AAI Board and Senior Officials
The Ministry of Civil Aviation has circulated the order among senior officials and members of the AAI Board. The communication has been sent to the Member (HR), AAI, the Company Secretary, AAI, the Chief of Administration & Corporate Services (CA&CS), AAI, and all members of the AAI Board.
The circulation ensures that the organisation’s senior administrative structure is informed about the change and that Kansal’s additional responsibility is formally communicated across the relevant levels of the organisation. With the order taking effect from the forenoon of September 30, Kansal assumes the additional responsibility while continuing with his ministry assignment.
Change Follows Transfer of Vipin Kumar
The temporary arrangement has been necessitated by the transfer of Vipin Kumar, IAS (BH:1996). Kumar had been serving as Chairman of the Airports Authority of India before the latest change.
The ministry’s decision to give additional charge to an existing senior officer ensures that the Chairman’s responsibilities continue to be handled during the transition. The order does not, however, specify in the material provided when a regular or permanent appointment to the post will be made. For the moment, Kansal will oversee the responsibilities attached to the Chairman’s office for the period specified in the order.
Why the AAI Chairman’s Position Is Important
The Airports Authority of India is a statutory organisation under the Ministry of Civil Aviation and plays an important role in India’s aviation infrastructure. Its responsibilities include the management and operation of airports under its jurisdiction as well as the provision of air navigation services.
AAI is also involved in the development and maintenance of aviation infrastructure at airports under its administrative jurisdiction. Its work therefore covers a range of operational and infrastructure-related functions within India’s civil aviation system.
The Chairman’s office is responsible for providing leadership at the organisational level, making continuity in the position important whenever there is a transition in senior management.
The present arrangement allows the organisation to continue functioning under an identified senior officer while the ministry’s broader administrative process concerning the Chairman’s position moves forward.
About the Airports Authority of India
The Airports Authority of India (AAI) is a statutory body under the Ministry of Civil Aviation. It is responsible for managing and operating airports and providing air navigation services across the country.
The organisation also undertakes the development and maintenance of aviation infrastructure at airports falling within its jurisdiction. Through these responsibilities, AAI forms an important part of India’s civil aviation infrastructure and operational network. The temporary assignment of Puneet Kansal as Chairman therefore comes at an administrative transition point for the organisation following Vipin Kumar’s transfer.
Three-Month Additional-Charge Arrangement
Under the latest order, Puneet Kansal’s additional charge as Chairman of AAI began from the forenoon of September 30, 2026. The arrangement will continue for three months or until further orders, whichever is earlier.
During this period, Kansal will continue to serve as Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Civil Aviation while handling the additional responsibilities of AAI Chairman. The order has been formally communicated to the senior management and Board members of AAI.
The latest development thus provides an interim leadership arrangement for the Airports Authority of India following the transfer of Vipin Kumar. For the specified period, Puneet Kansal will handle the Chairman’s responsibilities alongside his existing assignment in the Ministry of Civil Aviation.
