Pieter Elbers has stepped down from his role as CEO of IndiGo, an Indian low-fare airline. The decision was immediate, and Rahul Bhatia, Managing Director of the airline, will take over while a replacement is found.
The news follows IndiGo’s significant challenges in the latter end of 2025, including the grounding of around 40 A320neos due to Pratt & Whitney engine issues, and a huge operational crisis linked to crew management that resulted in a drastic drop in performance, and subsequently, in shares.
This led to a 77.5% year-on-year decline in net profit for the third quarter of fiscal year 2026, which, at the time, Elbers faced with optimism.
“Having founded and nurtured IndiGo for twenty two years, I feel a deep sense of personal commitment and responsibility towards our nation, and towards the airline’s customers, employees, shareholders and all other stakeholders”, said Rahul Bhatia. “While placing Culture, Service Excellence and Stakeholder Trust at the forefront of its operations, IndiGo will continue to sharpen its strategic focus on serving India and her people with an airline that is professionally managed, operationally reliable and globally respected.”
“Rahul returns to assume management of the affairs of the airline to strengthen the Company’s Culture, reinforce Operational Excellence and deepen its commitment to delivering exceptional service of care, reliability and professionalism to its customers”, commented the Chairman of the Board, Vikram Singh Mehta.
Photo: World Aviation Festival
