Willie Walsh, the current director general of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), has been named as the new chief executive officer of IndiGo, India's largest low‑cost carrier.
The Board of InterGlobe Aviation Limited (IndiGo) said Walsh's appointment remains subject to regulatory approvals, His tenure at IATA ends on July 31, 2026, and he is expected to join IndiGO no later than August 3, 2026.
Prior to his role in IATA, Walsh was formerly CEO of British Airways and IAG (International Airlines Group, a holding company which owns Aer Lingus, British Airways, Iberia, Level and Vueling).
In the statement, IndiGo Chairman Vikram Singh Mehta said Walsh's background makes him well suited to guide the airline through its next phase.
"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," Mehta added.
"His appointment will mark a new chapter for IndiGo, as it continues its journey in one of the fastest growing aviation markets in the world."
Commenting on the leadership transition, IndiGo Managing Director Rahul Bhatia expressed confidence in Walsh's ability to guide the airline through its next phase of growth.
"As we enter a new phase of transformation and growth, I am delighted to welcome Willie to IndiGo. He is an iconic and accomplished aviation leader and brings a rare combination of global perspective, operational expertise of having built strong customer-focused airlines, deep industry experience and a values driven leadership, making him exceptionally suited to lead IndiGo at this pivotal cusp of growth," he said.
In his new role as IndiGo's CEO, Walsh will be responsible for the overall management and strategic direction of the airline with a focus on transformational initiatives to strengthen the operational performance, advance the company's network and commercial strategy while enhancing customer experience.
He will work closely with the Board and the leadership team to rightfully position IndiGo as it scales up to the next phase of its growth.
IndiGo confirmed that Walsh will relocate from IATA's headquarters in Montreal to the airline's base in New Delhi. IndiGo currently holds about 65% of India's domestic aviation market, according to data from the country's aviation regulator, making it the dominant carrier in what is widely regarded as the world's fastest‑growing aviation market in terms of passenger traffic.
Commenting on his appointment, Walsh said he is eager to lead IndiGo and build on the airline's strong foundation.
"I am delighted to have the opportunity 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," he said.
"The aviation landscape is evolving rapidly, and IndiGo is extremely well-positioned to be at the forefront of this change. I look forward to partnering with colleagues across the organisation to build a culture of excellence, innovation, collaboration and sustainable value for all stakeholders," Walsh added.
Former IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers resigned on March 10, 2026, officially citing personal reasons, but his departure came just months after the airline experienced its worst operational crisis in two decades. In December 2025, IndiGo cancelled thousands of flights following difficulties in implementing new pilot duty‑and‑rest regulations, leaving hundreds of thousands of passengers stranded and prompting regulatory scrutiny and fines. The leadership change was widely viewed as part of IndiGo's effort to reset operations and restore stability.
Meanwhile, IATA has yet to make an announcement on Walsh' departure or discussions on his successor as IATA's director general.
