Months after flight disruptions, IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers steps down; Rahul Bhatia takes interim charge

IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers. PIC/PTI

Pieter Elbers has stepped down as the chief executive officer (CEO) of IndiGo, the country's largest airline operated by InterGlobe Aviation Limited, months after the low-cost carrier faced its worst-ever flight disruption in December last year.

In a filing to stock exchanges, the airline said Rahul Bhatia, managing director of InterGlobe Aviation, has taken charge of the airline's management on an interim basis.

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"With immediate effect, Pieter Elbers will be stepping down as IndiGo CEO. The Board of Directors would like to thank Pieter for his contribution and service to the organisation and wishes him well in his future endeavours," the airline said.

"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," it added in its regulatory filing.

Vikram Singh Mehta, chairman of the Board, said Bhatia has returned to oversee the airline's management to strengthen the company's culture, reinforce operational excellence, and deepen its commitment to delivering exceptional service marked by care, reliability and professionalism to customers.

"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," Bhatia said.

Strong growth under Pieter Elbers overshadowed by December flight crisis

Elbers, who took over as IndiGo CEO a little over three years ago, oversaw a period of strong growth for the airline.

During his tenure, IndiGo crossed the USD 10 billion revenue mark and expanded its fleet to more than 440 aircraft.

The airline also placed a historic order for 500 A320-family aircraft with Airbus, one of the largest aircraft orders in aviation history.

However, despite these achievements, Elbers' tenure was overshadowed by a major operational crisis in December 2025.

The disruption was triggered when the airline struggled to implement new rules aimed at preventing pilot fatigue.

Between December 3 and 5, IndiGo cancelled more than 2,500 flights and delayed nearly 1,900 others, affecting over 3 lakh passengers across the country.

(With IANS inputs)