When the Air France-KLM board decided not to renew Pieter Elbers' mandate as Chief Executive of the Dutch flag carrier, some expected employees to launch another campaign such as the one that successfully kept him in the position following his first term. However, this time his departure has proven to be definitive. In March this year, the airline's supervisory board nominated Marjan Rintel as Elbers' successor when he steps down on July 1.

Meanwhile, having begun his career at KLM in 1992 as an aircraft loading manager, it was difficult to imagine Elbers leaving the airline industry. And it seems he has found a new home - at India's budget giant IndiGo. The airline, the largest in the country in terms of passengers carried, will wave goodbye to its own CEO, Ronojoy Dutta, on September 30 this year.

Next stage of the journey

Pieter Elbers, who is now 52, has held several managerial positions for KLM in The Netherlands and overseas in Japan, Greece, and Italy before first becoming Vice President and then taking the reigns at the airline in 2014. He will now join IndiGo on or before October 1. Mr Elbers stated that what IndiGo and its employees have built during the carrier's 16 years of operations was 'impressive', and further added,

“I am very honoured and do look forward to build upon this, working together with the entire IndiGo team. I am delighted to become a part of the next stage of IndiGo’s incredible journey, further fulfilling the vision of what the airline can do and will be for its customers and for India."

IndiGo is not only the largest carrier in India - it is the sixth-largest airline in the world when looking at passenger volume. Furthermore, the airline has significant international expansion plans. According to data from ch-aviation, the airline has a massive order for 69 Airbus A321XLR to add to its other incoming 460 A320neo family aircraft.

Four very intense years for the IndiGo CEO

Ronojoy Dutta, 71, has held the position of IndiGo CEO since 2019. These have been a few very turbulent years, to say the least, and he has most certainly earned his retirement. The industry veteran is affectionately referred to as "Rono." Among other positions, he served as Vice President and President of United Airlines between 1995 and 2002 and Chairman of Air Sahara from 2004 to 2008.

In 2007, he joined the US-based aviation service provider AAR as a strategic consultant for the Indian market. Mr Dutta shared his sentiments regarding his departure from IndiGo after nearly four years,

“I leave knowing that IndiGo is in the good custody of Mr Elbers and that the future for IndiGo employees is secure and bright. I would like to thank all the employees at IndiGo for the kindness and affection they have shown me over the past four years. As I move forward to the next chapter of my life, I will look back with nostalgia, fondness, and a tinge of separation regret.”

Rahul Bhatia, Managing Director of IndiGo, also wanted to share his appreciation for the services of Mr Dutta through the incredibly trying times the last few years have presented, stating,

“The Board of Directors and I would like to thank Rono for effectively leading our business for almost four years with a steady hand through what has been the most turbulent period in the airline’s history and aviation globally."

Is Pieter Elbers the right man to lead IndiGo's next ambitious chapter? What do you think? Leave a comment below and join the conversation.

Source: The Economic Times