InterGlobe Aviation, the parent company of budget airline IndiGo, on Tuesday announced that its Chief Executive Officer Pieter Elbers has resigned from his position with immediate effect.

In a regulatory filing dated March 10, the company said Elbers will be relieved from his duties at the close of business hours on the same day.

“He will be relieved from the service of the Company effective close of business hours on March 10, 2026,” the aviation firm said in its filing.

The airline also confirmed that its managing director Rahul Bhatia will manage the company in the interim until a new chief executive is appointed.

Elbers, who previously served as CEO of KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, joined IndiGo in 2022 and was responsible for steering the airline through a period of rapid growth and expansion, particularly in the international market.

IndiGo’s operational crisis

The leadership change comes months after IndiGo faced one of the biggest operational crises in its history. Earlier this year, the airline cancelled more than 4,500 flights over a short period, triggering widespread disruption across major airports in India.

The cancellations left lakhs of passengers stranded and sparked outrage among travellers who reported last-minute cancellations, long delays, and limited communication from the airline. The situation drew scrutiny from aviation regulators and intensified pressure on the airline’s management to address operational challenges.

Despite the controversy, IndiGo has continued to dominate India’s aviation market with the largest domestic market share and an aggressive expansion strategy.

Market reaction

Shares of InterGlobe Aviation closed 3.46% higher at ₹4,383.50 on the National Stock Exchange of India on Tuesday. However, the resignation announcement came after market hours.

The company currently has a market capitalisation of around ₹1.69 lakh crore as of March 10, 2026, according to exchange data.

IndiGo said the process of appointing a new CEO will begin shortly, and further announcements regarding leadership changes will be made in due course.