CEO Willie Walsh states that airspace and supply chain issues will not halt IndiGo's strategy

India's largest airline, IndiGo Airlines, has celebrated its twentieth anniversary. The company has played a significant role in popularizing air travel among the general population of India. The story of its founding and success is quite interesting.

IndiGo was founded by two friends in 2006, initially beginning its operations using leased aircraft.

Tracing the airline's history, its first flight took place on August 4, 2006, on the route Delhi — Guwahati — Imphal. Currently, the airline's fleet comprises over 430 aircraft, and it connects more than 140 destinations both domestically and internationally. Over its existence, the company has transported approximately 900 million passengers. According to IndiGo, it currently operates flights to 97 domestic and over 40 international destinations in India.

IndiGo Airlines, holding the largest share in the Indian air transport market, was established by two friends. They were Rahul Bhatia and Rakesh Gangwal, who initiated IndiGo. Rahul Bhatia studied at the University of Waterloo, while Rakesh Gangwal studied at IIT Kanpur. After graduation, both worked in large corporations before jointly founding the parent company, IndiGo — Interglobe Aviation, in 2004.

The most intriguing moment in IndiGo's history began right then. Interglobe Aviation was founded during a crisis in the country's aviation sector. Despite this, both partners remained committed to their decision and obtained a license to launch the airline. However, a serious problem arose: the company did not have its own aircraft to start flying, which delayed the process for two years. Subsequently, Rakesh Gangwal utilized his connections and leased 100 aircraft from Airbus. It was on these leased planes that IndiGo made its first flight on August 4, 2006.

After its launch, despite various difficulties, IndiGo transformed into the largest airline in the country. The parent company, Interglobe Aviation, listed on the Indian stock market in 2015. Rahul Bhatia currently manages Interglobe Aviation. On the occasion of the airline's 20th anniversary, he shared development plans. IndiGo plans to expand its fleet to over 550 aircraft by 2030 and is preparing for approximately 3000 daily flights. Furthermore, the goal is set to transport about 200 million passengers annually.

IndiGo's Head of Development, Rahul Bhatia, stated that the company was founded with the aim of making air travel in India affordable and accessible. He emphasized that in the coming years, the airline will remain committed to improving the passenger experience, expanding the network, and contributing to the country's economic development. IndiGo CEO, Willy Walsh, noted that India is rapidly developing in the global aviation sector, and IndiGo is strengthening its position internationally. The company employs over 68,000 staff. To mark IndiGo's 20th anniversary, it released a special branded booklet, '20 Years of Connecting the Dots,' and presented a new issue of its in-flight magazine, Hello 6E.

Approximately five months after former IndiGo CEO Peter Elbers resigned following a serious operational disruption at the airline, it was announced on Monday that Willy Walsh has taken over as the new Chief Executive Officer.

The airline had previously announced Walsh's appointment in March, following Elbers' departure, while Managing Director Rahul Bhatia was serving as interim CEO. Walsh has now officially assumed his duties after completing his term as CEO of the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

It is reported that Walsh will lead the airline's overall management and strategic direction, focusing particularly on accelerating global growth, strengthening operational performance, expanding the network, refining the commercial strategy, and improving customer service quality.

Welcoming the New Leader

Rahul Bhatia, Managing Director of IndiGo, welcomed Walsh, noting that the airline enters its third decade and is ready for the next stage of development. Bhatia stated: 'As IndiGo enters its third decade and is ready for the next phase of its growth, I am delighted to officially welcome Willy as the airline's CEO.'

He added that Walsh's global experience in aviation and his operational competence will play a crucial role in accelerating IndiGo's international expansion and further solidifying its position in the global aviation arena.

Walsh's Comments on IndiGo's Future

Upon starting, Walsh noted that over the past two decades, IndiGo has created a 'remarkable legacy' and transformed into one of the world's largest airlines in a relatively short time. He emphasized: 'As India becomes one of the fastest-growing aviation markets in the world, the opportunities for IndiGo are immense. There could not be a more exciting or favorable time for me to join IndiGo right now.'

He also expressed his readiness to work with the airline's employees to continue its success and expand its global presence.

Walsh possesses over four decades of experience in the aviation industry. He began his career as a pilot at Aer Lingus, later becoming the CEO of that airline in 2001. He subsequently served as CEO of British Airways from 2005 to 2011, and then led International Airlines Group (IAG), the parent company including airlines such as British Airways, Iberia, and Aer Lingus, from 2011 to 2020. Most recently, he worked as CEO of IATA, which represents about 300 airlines accounting for over 80 percent of global commercial air traffic.

His appointment comes amid IndiGo's ongoing international network expansion and the introduction of wide-body aircraft to strengthen long-haul operations, while maintaining leadership in the domestic market.

The job of an airline flight attendant, although it looks glamorous, is in reality associated with a high degree of responsibility. Their duties cover caring for the comfort and safety of passengers, which requires them to adhere to numerous rules established by the airlines. These rules concern not only appearance but also the choice of products such as clothing, makeup, hairstyle, and used products.

Restrictions on the Use of Fragrant Products

A frequent question arises as to whether flight attendants are allowed to use perfume. Although many airline rules do not explicitly prohibit perfume, there is a restriction on the use of products containing alcohol. Therefore, it is advised to avoid strongly scented or alcohol-containing products.

Reasons for Establishing Rules

An airplane is a closed space where hundreds of passengers are together for several hours. A strong smell or chemical aroma can cause discomfort to some passengers. People may suffer from allergies to strong perfumes, headaches, breathing problems, or migraines. The goal of the airlines is to ensure a comfortable atmosphere for all passengers, so flight attendants are recommended to use products with a light or no scent.

Control Over Alcoholic Products

Some airlines introduce a standard prohibiting employees from using products containing alcohol during service, or those whose smell might give the impression of alcohol consumption. This is done to prevent misunderstandings between staff and passengers, as well as to ensure safety. This is why caution is advised when using mouthwash, toothpaste, or other similar products containing alcohol, while many airlines offer alcohol-free alternatives.

Complete Ban on Perfume

Generally, there is no rule that completely prohibits flight attendants from using perfume. However, it is strongly advised to avoid excessively strong fragrances. Airlines prefer that if perfume is used, its scent is so subtle as not to bother nearby passengers. Thus, the purpose of the rules is not to ban perfume, but to maintain passenger comfort and a professional environment.

Rules Apply to Everything, Not Just Makeup

People often assume that flight attendants are only required to look attractive, but the reality is much broader. Airlines have their guidelines regarding hairstyle, nail length, degree of makeup application, type of footwear, and products used. These standards are intended to give employees a unified professional appearance and strengthen trust among passengers.

Passenger Safety Comes First

Even a small oversight during a flight can turn into a serious problem. Therefore, airlines pay attention to all aspects that could cause inconvenience to passengers, whether it is a strong smell, a product aroma, or anything else that could cause misunderstanding. Because of this, flight attendants are forced to follow stricter rules compared to ordinary people.

To assume that flight attendants cannot use perfume at all is not entirely correct. In fact, many airlines restrict the use of certain alcoholic products and strongly scented goods. The main task is to create a comfortable environment for passengers, prevent misunderstandings, and maintain a professional image during the flight.