IndiGo Appoints Pieter Elbers As CEO, Ronojoy Dutta To Retire

InterGlobe Aviation, the parent company of low-cost carrier IndiGo, on Wednesday appointed Pieter Elbers as its new Chief Executivie Officer (CEO). Mr Elbers will join from October 1, 2022, the airline stated in a notification to exchanges.

"He succeeds Ronojoy Dutta, 71, who has decided to retire on September 30, 2022, after guiding IndiGo through the turbulent Covid-19 period," it added.

Rahul Bhatia, Managing Director of IndiGo said, "The Board of Directors and I would like to thank Rono for effectively leading our business for almost four years with a steady hand through what has been the most turbulent period in the airline's history and aviation globally."

Since 2014, Mr Elbers, 52, has served as the President and CEO of KLM Royal Dutch Airlines. He is also a member of the executive committee of the Air France – KLM Group, IndiGo said.

He holds a Bachelor's degree in Logistics Management and a Master's Degree in Business Economics.

On his appointment, Mr Bhatia said, "India promises to be the last bastion of ginormous growth globally and given Mr Elbers' deep understanding of the business, his legendary leadership qualities coupled with his energy and passion, we are ever so confident that under his stewardship, IndiGo will play a pivotal role in this growth opportunity."

Mr Elbers said, "I am delighted to become a part of the next stage of IndiGo's incredible journey, further fulfilling the vision of what the airline can do and will be for its customers and for India."

Earlier in February this year, IndiGo's co-promoter Rakesh Gangwal resigned from the board of directors of parent company InterGlobe Aviation, stating that he will gradually reduce the equity stake in the airline over the next five years.

Mr Gangwal and his related entities own around 37 per cent stake in this company. Mr Bhatia and his related entities own around 38 per cent of InterGlobe Aviation.