"Customers didn’t deserve it": Rahul Bhatia’s message to IndiGo staff as he takes interim charge after CEO exit
IndiGo's co-founder Rahul Bhatia is taking over as the airline's interim Chief Executive Officer (CEO) nearly two decades after co-founding the airline. The development comes as Pieter Elbers, the CEO of India's largest airline, resigned on Tuesday.
Soon after Elbers stepped down, Bhatia told IndiGo staff in an internal message that he was assuming a broader leadership role with a strong sense of responsibility toward the airline’s customers, shareholders and employees, Hindustan Times reported.
Rahul Bhatia's internal note to employees
The airline's co-founder mentioned the December 2025 incident, when India's largest airline plunged into a crisis following an operational meltdown that resulted in hundreds of flights being cancelled. Referencing the incident, Bhatia said that what happened in December should never have happened, adding that neither the customers nor IndiGo's staff deserved it, "especially the frontline employees who bore most of the brunt for no fault of theirs."
Expressing his gratitude to all colleagues, Bhatia thanked all those who supported the company with grace and dignity and worked tirelessly, often through sleepless nights, to restore IndiGo’s operational stability, saying they truly represent the spirit of the airline.
IndiGo CEO resigns
Elbers, who resigned earlier today, took IndiGo's charge in September 2022. IndiGo, under Elbers' leadership, turned into a $10-billion airline. It expanded its fleet to over 440 aircraft and also placed a record order for 500 Airbus 320-family jets.
Despite Elbers' evident success at the company, it all came crashing down in December last year. The operational disruption was caused by the airline’s challenges in rolling out new rules aimed at reducing pilot fatigue. Between 3 and 5 December, the airline cancelled over 2,500 flights and delayed nearly 1,900 others, disrupting travel plans for more than 300,000 passengers.
Earlier this January, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) imposed a massive fine of ₹22.20 crore and issued show-cause notices directly to Elbers. Although he initially withstood demands for his resignation, the crisis dealt a major blow to the airline’s reputation for punctuality.
Worst is behind us: Elbers
In a message dated 18 December, Elbers addressed the operational meltdown that IndiGo was grappling with, and claimed that the "worst is behind us." On the day Elbers recorded the message for IndiGo employees, he said the company had restored 2,200 flights, indicating it was now looking to stabilise operations.
Bhatia vows to fix the mess
In an internal letter, the company's co-founder sought employees' support to help them regain their right to choose customers. Bhatia urged employees to stay focused and accountable, remain united, and continue providing customers with affordable fares and a smooth travel experience. He also wished employees and their families well, signing off the message with “Main Hoon Na.”
About the Author
Swati Gandhi is a digital journalist with over four years of experience, specialising in international and geopolitical issues. Her work focuses on foreign policy, global power shifts, and the political and economic forces shaping international relations, with a particular emphasis on how global developments affect India. She approaches journalism with a strong belief in context-driven reporting, aiming to break down complex global events into clear, accessible narratives for a wide readership.<br><br> Previously, Swati has worked at Business Standard, where she covered a range of beats including national affairs, politics, and business. This diverse newsroom experience helped her build a strong grounding in reporting, while also strengthening her ability to work across both breaking news and in-depth explanatory stories. Covering multiple beats early in her career has helped her be informed about her current work, allowing her to connect domestic developments with wider international trends.<br><br> At Live Mint, she focuses on international and geopolitical issues through a business and economic lens, examining how global political developments, foreign policy decisions, and power shifts impact markets, industries, and India’s strategic and economic interests.<br><br> She holds a Bachelor’s degree in English (Honours) from the University of Delhi and a Master’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University. Her academic training has shaped her emphasis on precision, analytical rigour, and clarity in writing. Her interests include global political economy and the intersection of geopolitics with business.<br><br> Outside work, Swati focuses on exploring her passion and love for food. From fancy cafes to street spots, Swati explores food like a true foodie.
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