IndiGo CEO Elbers Resigns, Bhatia Assumes Interim Role

In New Delhi on March 10, Pieter Elbers resigned as chief executive officer of IndiGo, India's largest airline, with immediate effect, prompting co-founder and managing director Rahul Bhatia to assume interim leadership responsibilities.

The abrupt departure, announced by the airline's board, follows more than three years of Elbers' tenure and comes three months after IndiGo endured severe operational disruptions in early December that stranded thousands of passengers and invited regulatory penalties. The board expressed thanks to Elbers for his contributions and extended best wishes for his future. Bhatia, who will manage the airline's affairs until a permanent successor is named, addressed employees in an internal message, emphasizing accountability and renewal.

Bhatia, 66, acknowledged the December crisis directly, stating, "What happened last December should never have taken place. Our customers didn't deserve it, and nor did all of you, especially the frontline employees who bore most of the brunt for no fault of theirs." He praised staff for their efforts in restoring operations, noting their "grace and dignity" during sleepless nights and crediting them as the "living...