IndiGo News Live Updates: CEO Pieter Elbers resigns months after operational meltdown, Rahul Bhatia takes charge

Elbers joined IndiGo on September 6, 2022, after a distinguished 30-year career at KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, where he served eight years as President & CEO.

During his tenure at IndiGo:

-International operations were significantly expanded.

-The airline began operating leased wide-body Boeing 787-9 aircraft.

-Orders were placed for 60 wide-body Airbus A350-900 planes.

-IndiGo maintained profitability and a strong domestic market share of 63.6%.

-The airline hosted the International Air Transport Association (IATA) AGM in India in June 2025 — the first time in 42 years.

India government says IndiGo to start Mumbai–Riyadh–Mumbai flights from March 12.

Before joining IndiGo on September 6, 2022, Elbers was the President & Chief Executive Officer of KLM for eight years. He was with KLM Royal Dutch Airlines for 30 years in various roles.

As Elbers’ more than three-year tenure at IndiGo ends, here’s a look at India’s largest airline by the numbers:

IndiGo is India’s biggest airline, with a market share of nearly 64% and a fleet size of 440 aircraft as of the end of December.

It operates more than 2,200 daily flights, connecting 95 domestic and more than 40 international destinations.

During Elbers’ tenure, IndiGo expanded its international network, including the launch of long-haul flights to Europe using aircraft wet-leased from Norway’s Norse Atlantic.

IndiGo is now looking for a new CEO as Elbers tendered his resignation on 10 March, citing “personal reasons.”

A copy of the resignation letter available on the stock exchanges said, “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 request that the notice period be waived.”

In December 2025, IndiGo witnessed widespread flight cancellations across its airports in India, which led to the company’s quarterly profit to decline sharply. The move invited closer scrutiny of IndiGo. The carrier faced criticism for not being sufficiently prepared for the rollout of new pilot rest rules, which led to major operational disruptions. At the time, the Indian government warned that it could take strict action against the airline.

Rahul Bhatia, 66, is the Group Managing Director of InterGlobe Enterprises. He shall, in the interim, assume management of the affairs of the airline until such time that the Company announces the arrival of a new leader, which is expected in short order, the airline said.

Following Elbers’ resignation, IndiGo released a statement. The company said, “With immediate effect, Pieter Elbers will be stepping down as InterGlobe Aviation Limited’s (IndiGo) CEO. The Board of Directors would like to thank Pieter for his contribution and service to the organization, and wishes him well in his future endeavours.”

Rahul Bhatia, Managing Director of IndiGo, shall, in the interim, assume management of the affairs of the airline until such time that the Company announces the arrival of a new leader, which is expected in short order.

Pieter Elbers resignation as the IndiGo CEO, comes nearly three months after the company witnessed massive flight cancellations and delays after it failed to enforce new rules which aimed at reducing pilot fatigue.

“I step into my expanded role of managing the affairs of IndiGo with a deep sense of responsibility—not only to the company’s customers and its shareholders, but to every employee who powers this airline,” Bhatia wrote in an internal note to IndiGo employees after he took over as interim CEO of Interglobe Aviation Ltd. following the resignation of Pieter Elbers — effective immediately.

Hours after Pieter Elbers resigned from a position he has held since September 2022, IndiGo’s co-founder, Rahul Bhatia, took charge as the interim CEO.

On 10 March, IndiGo announced that its CEO, Pieter Elbers, resigned, citing “personal reasons.”