IndiGo co-founder Rahul Bhatia takes interim charge after CEO Pieter Elbers resigns, sends note to employees
IndiGo co-founder Rahul Bhatia is taking over as the airline’s interim Chief Executive Officer (CEO) after nearly two decades as the airline’s co-founder. The development comes after Pieter Elbers, CEO of India’s largest airline, resigned on Tuesday.
Shortly after Elbers’ resignation, Bhatia told IndiGo staff in an internal message that he was taking on a broader leadership role with a strong sense of responsibility to the airline’s customers, shareholders and employees. Hindustan Times reported.
Rahul Bhatia’s internal memo to employees
The airline’s co-founder talked about the December 2025 incident when India’s largest airline went into crisis following an operational collapse that resulted in the cancellation of hundreds of flights. Addressing the incident, Bhatia said what happened in December should never have happened, adding that neither customers nor IndiGo staff deserve this, “especially the frontline workers who bear the heaviest burden through no fault of their own.”
Expressing his gratitude to all his colleagues, Bhatia thanked all those who supported the company with grace and dignity and worked tirelessly, often through sleepless nights, to restore IndiGo’s operational stability, saying they truly represent the spirit of the airline.
IndiGo’s CEO resigns
Elbers, who resigned earlier today, took over from IndiGo in September 2022. IndiGo has grown into a $10 billion airline under Elbers’ leadership. It has expanded its fleet to more than 440 aircraft and also placed a record order for 500 Airbus 320 family jets.
Despite Elbers’ obvious success at the company, it all came crashing down in December last year. The operational disruption was caused by the airline’s difficulties in implementing new rules aimed at reducing pilot fatigue. Between December 3 and 5, the airline canceled more than 2,500 flights and postponed nearly 1,900 flights, disrupting the travel plans of more than 300,000 passengers.
Earlier this January, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) imposed a large fine. ₹22.20 crore and issued demonstration notices directly to Elbers. Although he initially resisted demands for his resignation, the crisis dealt a major blow to the airline’s reputation for punctuality.
The worst is over: Elbers
In a December 18 message, Elbers touched on the operational crisis IndiGo is grappling with and claimed that “the worst is over.” On the day he recorded the message to IndiGo employees, Elbers stated that the company had restarted 2,200 flights and was now looking to stabilize operations.
Bhatia vows to fix mess
In an internal letter, the company’s co-founder asked for support from employees to help them regain the right to choose customers. Bhatia urged employees to remain focused and responsible, stay united and continue to provide customers with affordable fares and a hassle-free travel experience. He also wished the employees and their families well and signed the message with “Main Hoon Na”.
