IndiGo, India’s largest airline, has been battling one of its worst operational crises since the new Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) norms for pilots
came into force. The rules, mandating longer rest hours and restricting night operations, caught the carrier off guard, triggering hundreds of daily flight cancellations and widespread disruption. While temporary relief from the government has eased night-operation limits, the airline is still working its way back to full normalcy. Amid this turbulence, attention has turned to the man who built IndiGo into India’s biggest and most efficient carrier - Rahul Bhatia, the low-profile billionaire behind its meteoric rise. Here’s a look at his journey and his current net worth.
Who Is Rahul Bhatia, the Low-Profile Billionaire Behind IndiGo?
The recent flight cancellations and chaos at IndiGo have put the spotlight firmly on Rahul Bhatia, the airline’s co-founder and the Managing Director of InterGlobe Enterprises. Even though he leads one of India’s most powerful aviation groups, Bhatia has always kept a very low public profile.
IndiGo was launched in 2006 when Rahul Bhatia teamed up with aviation veteran Rakesh Gangwal. The two turned the airline into India’s most punctual and largest carrier, with a 65% domestic market share (as of January 2025), flying to 137+ destinations and operating 2,700+ flights daily.
Over the years, differences grew between the two founders. Gangwal raised governance concerns and eventually stepped down from the board in 2022. After his exit, Bhatia was appointed Managing Director of InterGlobe Aviation for a five-year term, giving him full control of IndiGo’s future.
Bhatia’s Background: From Telecom Setback to Aviation Success
Rahul Bhatia studied electrical engineering at the University of Waterloo in Canada. His father, Kapil Bhatia, ran the Delhi Express travel agency, giving him early exposure to the travel industry.
Bhatia’s first business venture was in telecom, but it never took off because of regulatory hurdles, a Forbes report said. He later shifted focus to aviation and hospitality through InterGlobe Enterprises, which today has interests in airlines, hotels, and logistics.
His hospitality arm, InterGlobe Hotels, runs 21 hotels in India with France’s Accor and 13 more overseas, including the Sheraton Amsterdam Airport Hotel.
InterGlobe also has a logistics joint venture with UPS called Movin.
Rahul Bhatia’s Net Worth
According to Forbes real-time data, Rahul Bhatia’s net worth stands at $8.1 billion, making him one of India's richest business leaders.
Leading IndiGo Through Its Biggest Crisis
The ongoing crisis has tested Bhatia like never before. New Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL), which mandate longer rest hours for pilots and fewer night operations, disrupted IndiGo’s schedules heavily. The airline was not fully prepared for this change, leading to mass cancellations across major airports.
On Friday alone, more than 220 flights were grounded in Delhi, with similar disruptions in other cities. Although the DGCA has now offered temporary relief by easing night-operation norms, IndiGo is still working to return to normal operations.
For now, all eyes are on Rahul Bhatia as he attempts to steer IndiGo through one of the most challenging phases in its history.
