Ashwani Lohani returns to the post of Chairman and Managing Director of Air India about 19 months after he demitted office.

The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet on Wednesday appointed Lohani, who recently retired as Chairman, Railway Board, as CMD of Air India for a period of one year or until further orders.

He replaces PS Kharola, who has taken over as Secretary Civil Aviation. Lohani’s appointment comes at a time when the government has started the process of divestment of Air India’s ground handling agency, Air India Air Transport Services Ltd.

It remains to be seen whether Lohani, as CMD will allow that to happen or whether he will succeed in turning around the airline with him at the helm.