IndiGo has named a new Chief Executive Officer weeks after the abrupt resignation of former chief Pieter Elbers. The airline announced on Tuesday that it was appointing former British Airways chief William Walsh as the company's new CEO.
Walsh was formerly CEO of the British Airways and International Airlines Group (IAG), a holding company which owns Aer Lingus, British Airways, Iberia, Level and Vueling. Walsh is expected to join by August 3, 2026 after completing his tenure as the Director General of the International Air transport Association (IATA).
Chairman of Indigo, Vikram Singh Mehta, said, “I am thrilled that Willie will be at helm of Indigo. He is an exceptional global aviation leader with a stellar track record of outstanding leadership across several airlines. His experience in managing large scale airline operations and navigating complex market dynamics make him ideally suited to strengthen and lead IndiGo for continued growth in an ever evolving and competitive international aviation environment.” He said that the appointment marks a new chapter for the company.
Walsh is considered as one of the most successful, respected, influential and long-lasting leaders in modern aviation history, the company said.
Walsh said that he was delighted to lead IndiGo. “The airline has a strong foundation, a compelling vision and an exceptional reputation. What stands out most to me are its people, their passion, professionalism and commitment. The aviation landscape is evolving rapidly, and IndiGo is extremely well-positioned to be at the forefront of this change,” he said in the company's press release.
Walsh began his carrier as a pilot for Irish Aer Lingus. He later became the COO and CEO of the company before becoming the CEO of British Airways.
He will now be responsible for the overall management and strategic direction of IndiGo with a focus on transformational initiatives to strengthen the operational performance, advance the company’s network and commercial strategy while enhancing customer experience, the press release said.
The former CEO Pieter Elbers had announced his resignation 18 months ahead of the end of his term amid mass cancellations in December 2025.
The cancellations were caused by a shortage of pilots, which was triggered by the flight duty time limits norm. The incident left thousands of passengers stranded across India.
