Pieter Elbers, the aviation industry veteran leading India's largest airline IndiGo, has resigned from his position, according to an exchange filing on Tuesday. As an interim measure, the carrier's co-founder, Rahul Bhatia, will assume the management charge on a temporary basis.
"We wish to inform you that the Board of Directors of the Company, at its meeting held today, i.e., March 10, 2026, inter-alia, took note of the resignation tendered by Mr. Pieter Elbers, Chief Executive Officer. He will be relieved from the service of the Company effective close of business hours on March 10, 2026. Mr. Rahul Bhatia, Managing Director, shall in the interim assume management of the affairs of the Company," the filing stated.
Elbers, who took charge as the CEO in September 2022, came under intense flak in December last year after IndiGo faced its worst operational crisis.
IndiGo was rocked by a series of flight disruptions in early December 2025, with over three lakh passengers getting impacted. This led to serious financial ramifications for IndiGo, which has totalled to Rs 2,000 crore, sources had exclusively told NDTV Profit.
In his resignation letter addressed to Bhatia, Elbers noted that he is stepping away from his post due to "personal reasons". Further, he also requested Bhatia to waive off his notice period.
"It has been both an honor and privilege to serve as IndiGo's CEO these past years, since September 2022, and being a part of the great IndiGo family, it's beautiful growth story and the steps we have made together in this," Elbers stated in the letter.
He added that he will be available for any handover or transition, if the company "so desires."
Before joining IndiGo, the 55-year-old was the CEO of the Netherlands' national carrier airline, KLM, for around eight years starting 2014 onwards.
IndiGo, which holds the largest market share among Indian carriers, saw its market share slipping to 59.6% in December from 63.6% in November, as per the latest data available with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation.
In the quarter ended December, which was hit by operational disruptions, IndiGo's net profit slumped 78% year-on-year to R 549 crore. The revenue, however, increased by about 6% to Rs 23,472 crore.
On Tuesday, before Elbers' resignation was announced, IndiGo's stock ended 3.46% higher at Rs 4383.50 on the NSE, as compared to a nearly 1% jump in the benchmark Nifty 50.
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