IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers resigns citing personal reasons; Rahul Bhatia takes interim charge

InterGlobe Aviation Ltd, the parent company of IndiGo, said on Tuesday that Chief Executive Officer Pieter Elbers has stepped down with immediate effect, citing personal reasons.

In a regulatory filing, the company said the Board of Directors accepted Elbers’ resignation and thanked him for his contribution and service to the organisation since taking charge in September 2022.

“As per our conversation, due to personal reasons, I herewith submit my resignation from the position of CEO of IndiGo with effect from today. I would request that the notice period may be waived off,” Elbers said in his resignation letter.

“It has been both an honour and privilege to serve as IndiGo’s CEO these past years since September 2022, and to be part of the IndiGo family and its remarkable growth journey,” he added.

Following his exit, Rahul Bhatia, Managing Director of IndiGo, will temporarily assume management of the airline’s affairs until the company appoints a new chief executive, which it said is expected shortly.

Chairman Vikram Singh Mehta said Bhatia’s return to operational oversight would help strengthen the company’s culture, reinforce operational excellence and deepen its commitment to service, reliability and professionalism.

Bhatia, who co-founded the airline more than two decades ago, said he felt a deep sense of responsibility towards the airline, its customers, employees and stakeholders.

“While placing culture, service excellence and stakeholder trust at the forefront, IndiGo will continue sharpening its strategic focus on serving India and her people with an airline that is professionally managed, operationally reliable and globally respected,” he said.

Shares of InterGlobe Aviation Ltd, which operates IndiGo, closed at ₹4,383.50 on the NSE, up ₹146.80 or 3.46%, ahead of the board meeting outcome.