The chief executive of IndiGo, Pieter Elbers, has stepped down from his role. The airline confirmed that he resigned with immediate effect, citing personal reasons.
His departure comes months after a major crisis that forced the airline to cancel thousands of flights across India.
Airline Faces Major Disruption
IndiGo dominates India’s domestic aviation market. The airline controls about two-thirds of the country’s internal air travel sector.
Because of its large market share, operational problems quickly affect passengers nationwide.
In December, the airline cancelled around 4,500 flights. The cancellations marked the biggest disruption in the company’s 20-year history. Thousands of travellers were stranded at airports across the country.
Pilot Rule Changes Trigger Crisis
The disruption followed new pilot duty and rest regulations introduced by India’s aviation authorities. The rules aim to reduce pilot fatigue and improve safety.
However, IndiGo later admitted it underestimated how many pilots it needed under the new system.
The shortage meant several aircraft could not legally operate. As a result, the airline had to cancel many scheduled flights.
Aviation Regulator Takes Action
After the incident, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation investigated the matter. The regulator fined IndiGo about $2.45 million and criticised several senior executives over how the disruption was handled.
Interim Leadership Announced
Following Elbers’ resignation, Rahul Bhatia will temporarily lead the airline. The company said Bhatia will oversee operations until it appoints a new chief executive.
In a message to employees, Bhatia said the December disruption should never have happened. He also thanked staff members for managing operations during the crisis.
IndiGo’s Role in India’s Aviation Growth
IndiGo operates a fleet of about 440 aircraft. The airline mainly serves domestic routes but also flies to international destinations in the Middle East, Europe, and Asia.
The airline has played a major role in the rapid expansion of India’s aviation industry. The country remains one of the fastest-growing air travel markets in the world.
Expansion Plans Continue
Before leaving the company, Elbers oversaw a major aircraft order with Airbus. IndiGo agreed to purchase 500 narrow-body planes along with additional wide-body aircraft.
The order forms part of the airline’s long-term strategy to expand its international network and compete with global carriers.
