IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers has resigned from his position with immediate effect, the airline confirmed. The leadership change comes a few months after the carrier faced a major operational crisis that led to widespread flight disruptions.
The airline said its board has accepted Elbers’ resignation. Following his exit, Managing Director and co-founder Rahul Bhatia will temporarily oversee operations until a new chief executive is appointed.
Elbers reportedly stepped down citing personal reasons and requested that the company waive his notice period. In his message, he thanked the airline’s employees and said it had been a privilege to lead the company during his tenure.
His resignation comes around three months after the airline faced one of the biggest operational challenges in its history. In December 2025, thousands of flights were cancelled or delayed after changes in pilot duty and rest regulations disrupted scheduling across the airline’s network. The situation left many passengers stranded and drew criticism from travellers and regulators.
Despite the crisis, IndiGo remains India’s largest airline, with the biggest share of the domestic aviation market and an extensive network of flights across India and international destinations.