Rahul Bhatia hires trusted InterGlobe executive as IndiGo’s new HR chief in latest leadership reshuffle
IndiGo co-founder Rahul Bhatia continues to reshape IndiGo’s senior leadership by hiring a trusted executive from privately held InterGlobe Enterprises Pvt. Ltd. into the airline’s C-suite. On Tuesday evening, the airline announced the appointment of Kanwal Jeet Singh Bakshi as IndiGo’s chief human resources officer (CHRO), replacing Sukhjit Singh Pasricha, who resigned after eight-and-a-half years in the post.
Bakshi’s appointment as group head of HR and CHRO at India’s largest airline will come into effect on July 20. Pasricha will leave the company after the close of business on July 19, according to the company’s trading filings.
The leadership change comes at a time when IndiGo is expanding its international ambitions, hiring new aircraft and expanding its workforce, making the human resources function increasingly critical to the airline’s long-term strategy.
In his June 2 resignation letter to Bhatia, Pasricha attributed his departure to “professional journey and personal desires” and said the decision came after discussions over the last few months. “As I look back on my total tenure of 8.5 years at IndiGo, I am filled with immense gratitude for the opportunities and experiences I have had here,” Pasricha wrote.
He also expressed confidence in the future of the airline. “IndiGo’s leading position in the industry is a testament to the collective passion and effort of this organization. I have no doubt that IndiGo will continue to soar higher in the years to come,” he wrote.
Before his departure, Pasricha said he would remain fully committed to ensuring a smooth transition. “My reinstatement date will be July 19. I am fully committed to ensuring a smooth and seamless transition and will offer my successor the support I can in the coming days,” the letter said.
Lots of changes
The appointment is the latest in a series of senior leadership changes under Bhatia’s administration. He took over as interim general manager in March.
Following a serious operational collapse in December that led to the cancellation of more than 4,000 domestic flights, former CEO Pieter Elbers has resigned, effective March. Around the same time, the airline also suspended Jason Herter, senior vice president of operations control center (OCC), following a government directive and DGCA investigation.
William Walsh was appointed as the new CEO in March and is set to join the airline in August. In March, the airline appointed former Air India Express CEO Aloke Singh as chief strategy officer.
In May, IndiGo unveiled its most ambitious growth plan to date, targeting around 200 million passengers a year, nearly 3,000 daily departures and a fleet of more than 550 aircraft by 2030.
