The government is reportedly considering seeking the removal of IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers following the airline’s chaotic handling of recent flight duty rule changes, which caused mass cancellations and left thousands of passengers stranded across India, NDTV reported, citing sources.
An unprecedented crackdown on the budget carrier is being planned, with the Ministry of Civil Aviation summoning IndiGo officials for discussions on the crisis. NDTV also reported that a substantial penalty is under consideration against the airline, which commands nearly two-thirds of the domestic market.
IndiGo Directed To Refund, Deadline Set
The ministry has instructed IndiGo to complete refunds for all affected passengers by 8:00 PM on Sunday, 7 December 2025. The directive also prohibits the airline from charging rescheduling fees for impacted travelers.
“The Ministry has mandated that the refund process for all cancelled or disrupted flights must be fully completed by 8:00 PM on Sunday, 7 December 2025. Airlines have also been instructed not to levy any rescheduling charges for passengers whose travel plans were affected by cancellations,” the ministry stated. “Any delay or non-compliance in refund processing will invite immediate regulatory action.”
The order comes after several days of operational disruptions that have affected India’s largest airline, highlighting systemic challenges in implementing new flight duty regulations.
Who is IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers?
Pieter Elbers, CEO of IndiGo since September 2022, is a seasoned airline executive with more than 30 years of experience in the aviation sector. According to IndiGo’s official website, he is driving the airline’s next phase with the mission of “Giving wings to the nation”, aiming to connect people and aspirations while expanding the airline’s operational reach.
Before joining IndiGo, Elbers spent his entire career at KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, rising through the ranks from Manager of Aircraft Loading in 1992 to Chief Operating Officer in 2011, and ultimately President & CEO in 2014. He also served as an executive in the Air France-KLM Group. His leadership experience spans multiple countries, including The Netherlands, Japan, Greece, and Italy.
Elbers holds a bachelor’s degree in Logistics Management and a master’s degree in Business Economics, and has completed executive programs at IMD, Lausanne and Columbia University, New York. He currently serves on the IATA Board of Governors and has been elected as its Chair since June 2024.
Also Read: IndiGo Flight Chaos: Govt Cracks The Whip, Caps Airfares, Warns Airlines Amid Massive Disruptions
Zubair Amin is a Senior Journalist at NewsX with over seven years of experience in reporting and editorial work. He has written for leading national and international publications, including Foreign Policy Magazine, Al Jazeera, The Economic Times, The Indian Express, The Wire, Article 14, Mongabay, News9, among others. His primary focus is on international affairs, with a strong interest in US politics and policy. He also writes on West Asia, Indian polity, and constitutional issues. Zubair tweets at zubaiyr.amin
