Former Air France-KLM CEO Pieter Elbers will be heading the low-cost carrier IndiGo, the company announced on Wednesday. His appointment as the Chief Executive Officer is expected to be effective from 1 October this year.
IndiGo CEO Ronojoy Dutta will be retiring on 30 September, 2022. Elbers has been appointed as Dutta’s successor, the company said in a regulatory filing.
“The Board of Directors of the Company, at its meeting held today, May 18, 2022, has approved the appointment of Mr. Pieter Elbers as the Chief Executive Officer and as a Whole Time Director of the Company, subject to necessary regulatory and Shareholders’ approvals,” India’s largest airline said.
“The Board has also taken note of the resignation of Mr. Ronojoy Dutta as the Whole Time Director and Chief Executive Officer with effect from September 30, 2022,” the company said.
Who is Pieter Elbers
Elbers, 52, has served as the President & Chief Executive Officer of KLM Royal Dutch Airlines. He is also a member of the Executive Committee of the Air France – KLM Group.
He started his career at KLM in 1992 at their Schiphol hub and over time, held several managerial positions in both The Netherlands and overseas in Japan, Greece and Italy. After he returned to The Netherlands, he was appointed as the Senior Vice President of Network & Alliances, before he was promoted in 2011 as the Chief Operating Officer.
Elbers was born in Schiedam, The Netherlands. He received a Bachelor’s degree in Logistics Management and a Master’s Degree in Business Economics.
On his appointment as the IndiGo CEO, Elbers said, “What IndiGo’s employees and leadership have jointly built, since its start 16 years ago, is, by any standard, truly impressive. 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 India.”
“I leave knowing that IndiGo is in the good custody of 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,” Dutta said on his retirement.
