Kumar Bahukhandi
Willie Walsh. (AFP)
Walsh is expected to join IndiGo no later than August 3
New Delhi: IndiGo on Tuesday announced the appointment of William Walsh as the Chief Executive Officer of the airlines. Walsh, who is current chief of the global airlines’ grouping IATA, awaits regulatory approvals like security clearance etc from the Indian government before he takes charge. Walsh’s tenure at IATA comes to end on July 31 and he is expected to join by August 3.
Popularly known as `Willie’, Walshi currently the Director General of IATA (International Air Transport Association) and was formerly CEO of British Airways and IAG (International Airlines Group, a holding company which owns Aer Lingus, British Airways, Iberia, Level and Vueling).
As IndiGo CEO, Mr Walsh will be responsible for the overall management and strategic direction of the airline with a focus on transformational initiatives to strengthen the operational performance, advance the company’s network and commercial strategy while enhancing customer experience. “He will work closely with the board and the leadership team to rightfully position IndiGo as it scales up to the next phase of its growth,” the airline said in a statement. He will also be among the few CEOs who are also pilots. Only a handful of people who were pilots have helmed an Indian airline. He will be the third foreign CEO for IndiGo, which started operations in August 2006.
Vikram Singh Mehta, IndiGo’s chairman termed Mr Walsh as an exceptional global aviation leader with a stellar track record of outstanding leadership across several airlines adding his appointment will mark a new chapter for IndiGo.
Rahul Bhatia, Managing Director of IndiGo added, “As we enter a new phase of transformation and growth, I am delighted to welcome Willie to IndiGo. He is an iconic and accomplished aviation leader and brings a rare combination of global perspective, operational expertise of having built strong customer-focused airlines, deep industry experience and a values driven leadership, making him exceptionally suited to lead IndiGo at this pivotal cusp of growth.
” On March 23, IndiGo announced the appointment of former Air India Express Managing Director Aloke Singh as its Chief Strategy Officer.
