IndiGo's strongest days are ahead: CEO Willie Walsh

New Delhi: Willie Walsh, who took charge as chief executive officer of IndiGo on Monday, told employees that the airline's greatest opportunities are still ahead and that it should become the carrier of choice.

Walsh takes over following the resignation of former CEO Pieter Elbers after a December operational meltdown, which tarnished IndiGo's reputation for punctuality as cancellations stranded tens of thousands of passengers and drew regulatory warnings over operational mismanagement.

Addressing employees on his first day, Walsh said the airline is recognised across the global aviation industry not just for its size but also for its consistency, operational excellence and the trust it has earned from customers. "What you have built at IndiGo is admired throughout our industry around the world," he said.


Walsh-who has previously led Aer Lingus and British Airways as well as helped build International Airlines Group-said building a successful airline is among the hardest things to do in business.

"In the last 10 years alone, 408 airlines have failed. So what you have achieved is absolutely remarkable," he said, adding that success in aviation is earned through discipline, teamwork and consistency, without shortcuts.

Flagging supply chain constraints, evolving airspace challenges and changing global conditions as headwinds, Walsh said these do not alter IndiGo's direction.