MUMBAI : The airline announced that Walsh, currently serving as the director general of the International Air Transport Association, will assume his new role no later than August 3, shortly after his tenure at IATA concludes on July 31.
The appointment comes just weeks after the abrupt resignation of former CEO Pieter Elbers, who stepped down amid regulatory scrutiny over operational lapses. The airline had faced criticism for inadequate planning around pilot rest and duty regulations, which triggered widespread disruption.
In December, IndiGo was forced to cancel more than 4,500 flights — the largest operational crisis in its 20-year history. Regulators subsequently reprimanded Elbers, citing “inadequate overall oversight of flight operations and crisis management.”
Following his departure, co-founder and managing director Rahul Bhatia temporarily took charge to steer the airline through the fallout.
Despite the setback, IndiGo continues to dominate India’s aviation sector, holding an estimated 65 percent market share in what is currently the world’s fastest-growing aviation market.
Walsh brings decades of industry experience to the role. He began his career as a cadet pilot with Aer Lingus in 1979 and rose to become its CEO in 2001. He later led British Airways as chief executive from 2005, before taking over as head of IATA in April 2021.
IndiGo has appointed Willie Walsh, director general of the International Air Transport Association, as its new CEO, effective by August 3 after his IATA term ends July 31. His arrival follows the abrupt exit of Pieter Elbers amid regulatory scrutiny over operational lapses that led to mass flight cancellations, as IndiGo seeks to stabilise operations while defending its dominant 65 percent share of India’s fast-growing aviation market.