In a significant move for India’s aviation sector, Pieter Elbers, the CEO of IndiGo, resigned from his position on Tuesday, March 10, 2026. InterGlobe Aviation announced that Rahul Bhatia, the airline’s co-founder and Managing Director, would assume interim management responsibilities effective immediately. Elbers, who joined in September 2022, cited personal reasons for his departure.

The resignation follows a turbulent period for the airline, specifically the massive operational meltdown in December 2025, which saw over 4,500 flight cancellations and heavy regulatory penalties. Despite these challenges, Elbers’ tenure was marked by monumental growth, including crossing the $10 billion revenue milestone. Rahul Bhatia’s return to a direct management role is seen as a strategic step to restore operational discipline and stakeholder trust as the search for a permanent CEO begins.