Willie Walsh has been appointed as chief executive of IndiGo, India’s biggest airline. Photograph: Alan Betson/The Irish TimesFormer Aer Lingus and British Airways boss Willie Walsh has been appointed as chief executive of IndiGo, India’s biggest airline, in a high-profile return to the front line of the global aviation industry. The role was vacant after Pieter Elbers suddenly stepped down three months after poor planning resulted in thousands of IndiGo flights being cancelled in early December, causing a meltdown for India’s aviation sector. [ Willie Walsh criticises EU compensation policy for passengers over flight delaysOpens in new window ]Walsh, who left IAG in late 2020, earned the nickname “slasher Walsh” for his tough stance in two decades of labour negotiations in the European airlines industry. Walsh said IndiGo had a “strong foundation, a compelling vision and an exceptional reputation.

Source: The Irish Times April 01, 2026 04:43 UTC