‘Worst Is Behind Us’: IndiGo CEO Reassures Staff After Flight Disruptions

IndiGo CEO says worst is over after flight cancellations, assures staff of stability, recovery plans, and stronger operations ahead.

Dec 18, 2025 - 10:00
‘Worst Is Behind Us’: IndiGo CEO Reassures Staff After Flight Disruptions

After facing days of intense criticism and operational challenges due to large-scale flight cancellations, IndiGo Chief Executive Officer Pieter Elbers has sent a strong and reassuring message to employees, saying that “the worst is behind us” and the airline is steadily returning to normal operations.

The message comes after one of the most difficult periods in IndiGo’s nearly two-decade journey, during which passengers across the country faced delays, cancellations, and uncertainty.


1. IndiGo CEO Addresses Employees Amid Crisis

In an internal communication shared with employees, Pieter Elbers acknowledged the pressure and stress faced by staff over the past two weeks. He described the period as one of the most challenging in the airline’s history and thanked employees for standing united during the disruption.


2. ‘Through the Storm, We Are Finding Our Wings Again’

Elbers used strong and emotional language to boost morale.
“Through the storm, we are finding our wings again. The worst is behind us,” he said, highlighting the airline’s recovery efforts and renewed stability.


3. Staff Across Departments Praised

The CEO praised pilots, cabin crew, airport staff, operations control teams, customer service, and all support functions for their dedication.
He called employees the “backbone of IndiGo”, stressing that teamwork played a crucial role in managing the crisis.


4. Flight Cancellations Triggered Scrutiny

IndiGo had cancelled hundreds of flights earlier this month due to a mix of operational challenges, triggering passenger anger and drawing the attention of aviation regulators.
The disruptions affected travel plans nationwide, especially during a busy period.


5. Operations Restored to 2,200 Flights Daily

According to Elbers, since December 9, IndiGo has restored its flight network to around 2,200 flights per day.
He described this recovery as proof of the airline’s strong operational principles and collective effort by its workforce.


6. Focus Area One: Strengthening Operational Resilience

Looking ahead, Elbers outlined three priorities.
The first is resilience, especially as the airline enters a challenging phase with bad weather and the Irregular Operations Policy (IROP) season.

He said IndiGo’s main goal is to keep operations stable and reduce the impact of external disruptions on passengers.

Also Read:-  IndiGo Cancels 250+ Flights as New Crew Rostering Rules Cause Massive Disruptions Across Airports


7. Focus Area Two: Root Cause Analysis

The CEO confirmed that an external aviation expert has been appointed to conduct a full-scale root cause analysis.
He urged employees to avoid speculation and focus on their responsibilities until clear findings are available.

Elbers noted that similar disruptions have occurred globally with large airlines, and lessons from such events will help strengthen IndiGo’s systems.


8. Focus Area Three: Rebuilding and Listening

As part of rebuilding efforts, the leadership team will travel across IndiGo’s network to meet employees in person.
They will listen to feedback, understand challenges on the ground, and use insights to improve operations and employee experience.


9. IndiGo’s Journey and Growth Highlighted

Elbers reminded employees of IndiGo’s humble beginnings in 2006, when the airline started with just one aircraft.
Today, IndiGo has over 65,000 employees, a fleet of hundreds of aircraft, and has served more than 850 million passengers, all while maintaining a strong safety record.


10. Optimistic Message for the Future

Concluding his message, Elbers said that recent disruptions should not define IndiGo’s legacy.
He reaffirmed the airline’s core values of reliability, discipline, accessibility, and customer focus, ending with a hopeful note:
“From here on, onwards and upwards.”


Conclusion

IndiGo’s leadership believes the airline has crossed the most difficult phase of recent disruptions. With operations stabilising, a detailed investigation underway, and renewed focus on resilience and rebuilding, the carrier aims to emerge stronger. For employees and passengers alike, the CEO’s message signals confidence, recovery, and a return to smoother skies.