The move places one of the airline's founding architects back at the centre of its leadership at a crucial moment.

According to the airline's chairman Vikram Singh Mehta, Bhatia will lead the airline until a new chief executive is appointed. His return is aimed at reinforcing the company's culture, strengthening operational performance, and maintaining the airline's reputation for reliability and customer service.

From Engineer to Aviation Entrepreneur

Rahul Bhatia, 66, is an electrical engineer by training. He earned a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from the University of Waterloo in Canada before returning to India in 1984.

Initially, Bhatia planned to launch a telecom venture, but regulatory hurdles prevented the idea from moving forward. Instead, he joined his father Kapil Bhatia's travel business, Delhi Express Travel Agency. Over time, he transformed it into InterGlobe Enterprises, which later became a major player in the travel and aviation services sector.

The Birth of IndiGo

Bhatia entered the airline business in 2004 after securing an aviation licence and launching InterGlobe Aviation, the parent company of IndiGo. One of his early defining decisions was placing an order for 100 Airbus A320 aircraft-at the time the largest order of its kind.

Around this period, Bhatia partnered with aviation veteran Rakesh Gangwal, who had studied mechanical engineering at Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur and later completed an MBA at Wharton School.

The two had first connected when Gangwal worked at United Airlines in the US while Bhatia served as the airline's general sales agent in India.

Strategy That Reshaped Indian Aviation

In its early years, IndiGo was managed largely by professional executives while its founders focused on strategic direction. The airline built its model around strict cost discipline and operational efficiency.

A key part of that strategy was operating a single aircraft type, which reduced training and maintenance costs. The approach helped IndiGo scale rapidly.

By 2010, the airline had captured nearly one-fifth of India's aviation market. Within a few years, it emerged as the country's market leader.

Founder Dispute and Leadership Changes

Despite the airline's success, differences later emerged between Bhatia and Gangwal over the company's direction. Gangwal pushed for faster expansion, while Bhatia preferred a more cautious approach.

The disagreement escalated into a governance dispute, with Gangwal filing complaints with the Securities and Exchange Board of India and seeking arbitration in London. He also raised concerns about board structure and management control.

The conflict eventually ended in February 2022 when Gangwal stepped down from the board and began gradually reducing his stake. He now holds around 13.5 percent of the airline.

IndiGo's Market Position Today

Today, IndiGo dominates India's aviation sector with roughly 65 percent market share. The airline operates more than 2,200 flights daily and has a fleet of around 400 Airbus aircraft.

Its network covers over 100 destinations, including dozens of international routes.

Bhatia remains the main promoter of the airline and currently serves as Managing Director of InterGlobe Aviation.

"Main Hoon Na": Message to Employees

After taking interim charge, Bhatia wrote to IndiGo employees with a reassuring message. In the internal communication, he used the phrase "Main hoon na," signalling that he would stand by the workforce during the transition.

He also referred to operational disruptions that occurred in December, acknowledging the challenges faced by frontline employees and thanking them for working tirelessly to restore normal operations.

Signing the note as "Rahul (alias 'Main Hoon Na')", Bhatia praised staff for their dedication and reaffirmed the airline's commitment to maintaining strong operational standards while a new CEO is appointed.