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Wed, 01 Apr 2026

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 IndiGo names former British Airways chief Willie Walsh as CEO

The announcement comes days after former CEO Pieter Elbers quit in the backdrop of a flight cancellation crisis.
IndiGo, India's largest airline, has appointed Willie Walsh as its new CEO, effective from August. Walsh, a veteran in the aviation industry, will join IndiGo after completing his term as director general of the International Air Transport Association. His appointment comes weeks after former CEO Pieter Elbers resigned over personal reasons, which were widely seen as linked to the airline's recent crisis. The crisis led to the cancellation of thousands of flights, leaving passengers stranded across India. IndiGo was fined $2.45m by India's aviation regulator for its handling of the disruption and several senior executives were criticised. Walsh has a long career in the global aviation industry, having served as CEO of British Airways and Aer Lingus. He said IndiGo is "extremely well-positioned" to lead the change in the aviation landscape.