Overview
- An unverified open letter circulating on social media and attributed to an IndiGo insider blames CEO Pieter Elbers and other senior executives for years of mismanagement, naming at least eight officials and alleging a toxic work culture, fatigue and intimidation.
- Former aviation veteran Shakti Lumba publicly shared and endorsed the letter, calling the situation a cry for help and urging a government-led inquiry with accountability measures.
- India’s aviation regulator issued a show-cause notice to CEO Pieter Elbers, citing significant lapses in planning, oversight and resource management and requiring a response within 24 hours.
- IndiGo’s board has formed a high-level crisis management group that includes chairman Vikram Singh Mehta, directors Gregg Saretsky, Mike Whitaker and Amitabh Kant, and CEO Pieter Elbers to stabilise operations.
- The airline reported more than 1,600 cancellations on Friday and said it operated a little over 700 flights versus its usual roughly 2,300 as the new flight duty and rest rules sharply reduced available crew.