IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers steps down as leader of India’s largest airline

IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers is stepping down as leader of India’s largest airline with immediate effect and will be replaced by an interim appointee from within the company.

IndiGo, or InterGlobe Aviation, issued a statement on March 10, 2026, thanking Elbers for his “contribution and service to the organization” and wished him “well in his future endeavors”.

Elbers joined IndiGo as the airline’s new leader in 2022, after a 30-year career at KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, including as the carrier’s CEO for 12 years.

Earlier this year, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) hit IndiGo with around a $2.6 million fine following huge operational disruptions, affecting thousands of passengers in December 2025.

In its ruling on January 17, 2026, the Indian regulator also cautioned Elbers along with other senior employees.

Miquel Ros / AeroTimeRahul Bhatia, Managing Director of IndiGo, will take over until the airline announces the arrival of a new leader.

“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,” said the Chairman of the Board, Vikram Singh Mehta.

Bhatia added: “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.”

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