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IndiGo names Willie Walsh as new chief executive
India's largest airline, IndiGo, has appointed Willie Walsh as its new CEO, effective August, following the abrupt resignation of Pieter Elbers in March.
Background of the leadership change
Elbers stepped down on 10 March, citing personal reasons, but his departure followed a major operational crisis that led to the cancellation of around 4,500 flights in December. The disruptions, the worst in IndiGo's 20-year history, left thousands of passengers stranded, disrupting weddings, funerals, and other critical travel plans.
IndiGo dominates India's domestic aviation market, controlling nearly two-thirds of flights. The cancellations prompted regulatory scrutiny, with India's aviation authority imposing a $2.45 million fine and criticizing senior executives, including Elbers, for mishandling the situation.
Cause of the December disruptions
The crisis stemmed from new pilot duty and rest regulations introduced to reduce crew fatigue. IndiGo later admitted it had underestimated the number of pilots required to comply with the rules, leading to widespread flight cancellations.
Walsh's aviation career and new role
Walsh, a veteran of the global aviation industry, will leave his current position as director general of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) to join IndiGo. His tenure at IATA concludes in August, coinciding with his start date at the airline.
Walsh began his career in the late 1970s as a cadet pilot with Irish carrier Aer Lingus. He rose through the ranks, eventually becoming its CEO in 2001. In 2005, he took over as chief executive of British Airways and later led its parent company, International Airlines Group, until 2020.
"The aviation landscape is evolving rapidly, and IndiGo is extremely well-positioned to be at the forefront of this change," Walsh said in a statement.
IndiGo's future under Walsh
IndiGo's chairman, Vikram Singh Mehta, praised Walsh's experience in managing large airline operations and navigating complex market conditions, calling him the ideal leader for the carrier's next growth phase.
IndiGo operates a fleet of over 400 aircraft, running thousands of domestic flights daily alongside select international routes. The airline has recently focused on expanding its premium international travel offerings.
In the interim, co-founder Rahul Bhatia has been overseeing operations since Elbers' departure and will continue until Walsh assumes the role.
