IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers has resigned after a little over three years at the helm of India’s largest airline, and within three months of an operational crisis that nearly grounded Indian aviation. Rahul Bhatia, co-founder and managing director,has taken charge on an interim basis, with the promise to fix what’s broken.
“As per our conversation, due to personal reasons, I herewith submit my resignation from the position of CEO of IndiGo with effect from today. I would request that notice period may be waived off,” Elbers wrote in his resignation letter to Bhatia.
“It has been both an honour and privilege to serve as IndiGo CEO these past years, since September 2022, and being a part of the great IndiGo family, it’s beautiful growth story and the steps we have made together in this.”
In a little over three years since Elbers took the helm in September 2022, IndiGo operator Interglobe Aviation Ltd. crossed the $10-billion revenue mark, expanded its fleet to over 440 aircraft, and placed a historic order for 500 Airbus A320-family planes.
But despite his successes, Elbers’ tenure was marred by an operational meltdown in December 2025. The flight crisis was triggered by IndiGo’s struggle to implement new rules designed to prevent pilot fatigue.
Between December 3 and 5, IndiGo cancelled over 2,500 flights and delayed nearly 1,900 more, affecting over 300,000 passengers. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation imposed a record fine of ₹22.20 crore and issued show-cause notices to Elbers. While he initially survived calls for his resignation, the crisis significantly dented the airline’s reputation for punctuality.
Rahul Bhatia returns
The IndiGo CEO resignation marks a comeback of sorts for co-founder Bhatia, especially in the absence of his other co-founder Rakesh Gangwal who resigned from the board of directors in February 2022.
“Having founded and nurtured IndiGo for 22 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,” Bhatia said in a media statement.
“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.”
On Tuesday, IndiGo shares rose 3.46% to ₹4,382.45 apiece on the BSE even as the benchmark Sensex ended the day 0.82% higher at 78,205.98 points.
