A few weeks ago we learned how IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers would be resigning. The Dutch national became CEO of India’s largest airline in 2022, but was ultimately pushed out after an operational meltdown that he was largely blamed for. Well, his replacement has now been named, and it’s a prolific character…
Continue reading: IndiGo’s New CEO Is Former British Airways Boss, “Slasher” Willie Walsh
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
Indigo's growth into the low cost longhaul market has no choice but to continue given that the orders are on their way; they could resell their widebody aircraft on order but that is unlikely.
The bigger piece is how they extricate themselves from their operational meltdown and the government relations mess that followed. Hard to see how Walsh will be the best person for that.
Tim, Willie isn’t coming for govt relations - that will be handled by others including Rahul Bhatia.
He is coming to make IndiGo a global airline.
The appointment is subject to security clearance from Government of India and unfortunately I'm not convinced that Willie may have burned more than a few bridges there with his past commentary. Bureaucrats have long memories and few opportunities to eke out petty revenge.
Seems like a pretty easy plan to follow IMO. India has lacked a strong reputable carrier for international flights, and now that Emirates/Etihad/Qatar have operational challenges, this seems like a great time to capitalize on the wealthiest of the Indian population that wants to travel while continuing to best serve their core customers. Good luck Willie (assuming he actually gets through regulations).
Agree with the latter - the former is almost a given, and i'd wager it was the sitting demand with sub-par competition that warranted orders. They just seem to be in such a favorable position with the market dynamics that Walsh may have a lower bar for P&L success.
Didnt he lead the charge in turning BA into a crappy airline? The ex-vueling guy then carried it on even more.
Sure, Walsh is an inveterate weasel but if his lack of anything resembling morals doesn’t bother you and you’re looking for someone to save money by worsening your flying experience there’s no one around with his expertise.
oh puhlease... and yet not as stupidly racist and bigoted as your comments.
Bye Felicia
I wish he'd come back to BA and finish what he started because at the heart of the problem that the incompetent Alex Cruz ignored because of his own misguided intentions, are a group of people who are professional malcontents. Sean Doyle has the right intention but a significantly wrong workforce and in large part an incompetent middle management.
Indigo is a younger and more dynamic operation that still has the flexibility to cope with changing demands and global trends that BA does not.