IndiGo shares jump 10% after airline appoints ex-British Airways chief Willie Walsh as CEO

Shares of InterGlobe Aviation, the parent company of IndiGo , rallied nearly 10% on Monday after the airline announced the appointment of a new chief executive. The sharp surge in the stock was in line with the broader market rally, with the BSE Sensex and Nifty 50 rising as much as 2.5% amid optimism that the West Asia conflict may be nearing a resolution.

The airline has appointed former British Airways chief Willie Walsh as its new CEO, who is expected to take charge by August 3, subject to requisite approvals.

Ending a two-session losing streak, the stock opened 2.3% higher at ₹4,035.35 against the previous close of ₹3,943.75 on the BSE. In early trade, it surged as much as 9.84% to ₹4,332, with around 1.6 lakh shares changing hands. At the time of reporting, the stock was up 8.07% at ₹4,262.20, taking its market capitalisation to ₹1.64 lakh crore.

Technically, the stock is trading above its 5-day moving average but remains below its 20-day, 50-day, 100-day, and 200-day moving averages.

IndiGo shares had touched a 52-week high of ₹6,225.05 on August 18, 2025, and a 52-week low of ₹3,894.80 on March 23, 2026. The stock had declined nearly 6% over the past month after Pieter Elbers stepped down as CEO, citing personal reasons.

Elbers, who took charge in September 2022, had faced pressure following a major operational disruption in December 2025, when hundreds of flights were affected and around three lakh passengers were stranded.

Following his resignation, the company had said that its co-founder and managing director, Rahul Bhatia, would oversee operations on an interim basis until a new CEO was appointed.

In an exchange filing last evening, IndiGo said that, on the recommendation of its nomination and remuneration committee, the board of directors, at its meeting held on March 31, 2026, approved the appointment of William “Willie” Walsh as CEO, subject to security clearance from the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA).

Walsh’s tenure as director general of International Air Transport Association will conclude on July 31, 2026, and he is expected to join IndiGo no later than August 3, the release noted.

He previously served as CEO of British Airways and International Airlines Group, which owns airlines such as Aer Lingus, Iberia, Level, and Vueling.

Welcoming the appointment, IndiGo Chairman Vikram Singh Mehta said, “I am thrilled that Willie will be at the helm of IndiGo. He is an exceptional global aviation leader with a stellar track record across several airlines. His experience in managing large-scale operations and navigating complex market dynamics makes him ideally suited to lead IndiGo for continued growth.”

Rahul Bhatia added, “As we enter a new phase of transformation and growth, I am delighted to welcome Willie to IndiGo. He brings a rare combination of global perspective, operational expertise, and deep industry experience.”

Widely regarded as one of the most influential leaders in modern aviation, Walsh is known for his pragmatic leadership, restructuring expertise, and track record in mergers and acquisitions.

In his new role, Walsh will be responsible for the overall management and strategic direction of IndiGo, with a focus on strengthening operational performance, expanding its network and commercial strategy, and enhancing customer experience as the airline enters its next phase of growth.

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