India's IndiGo Appoints Head of IATA as New CEO
By Fabiana Negrin Ochoa
IndiGo, India's largest airline by fleet size, has named the head of the International Air Transport Association as its new chief executive, as it emerges from a turbulent period of flight disruptions that shaved billions off its market value.
The board of IndiGo, which trades as InterGlobe Aviation, said William Walsh is set to come on board as CEO by Aug. 3 after his tenure as director-general of the aviation industry body comes to an end.
Walsh, a former CEO of British Airways and IAG, is succeeding Pieter Elbers, who stepped down in March after Indian regulators fined the airline following an investigation into a wave of flight cancellations in late 2025.
IndiGo blamed the disruptions on technology glitches, seasonal weather constraints and challenges in implementing India's revised crew safety rules.
On Tuesday, the carrier said Walsh will take the helm as it enters "a new phase of transformation," emphasizing that he will focus on transformational initiatives to strengthen operational performance.
Bringing on an industry veteran as CEO could help clear any overhang on the stock, reassuring investors.
Walsh, a former pilot, brings "deep industry experience" that makes him well-suited to lead IndiGo at a pivotal moment, said managing director Rahul Bhatia, who took charge of the airline on an interim basis after the company's former CEO stepped down.
Shares of the company are down over 22% so far this year, as the conflict in the Middle East weighs on sentiment toward airlines.
Write to Fabiana Negrin Ochoa at fabiana.negrinochoa@wsj.com
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
March 31, 2026 06:46 ET (10:46 GMT)
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