AVGEEK

IndiGo’s expansion through a former commercial chief’s lens

Former IndiGo commercial chief Willy Boulter reflects on the airline’s growth and changing fleet, weighing European hub possibilities and the choices behind its move into widebody flying.

9 Mar 202545 min

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The conversation

The 30th episode of The Indian AvGeek features a veteran of the global aviation industry. With all the news around IndiGo’s expansion into Europe, we sat down with the ex-CCO of IndiGo, Willy Boulter.

- [ ] Willy’s start and background in the aviation industry - [ ] His time at Etihad and Jet Airways, working experience with Naresh Goyal - [ ] What made IndiGo such a massive success? - [ ] How was it working with Rahul Bhatia and Rakesh Gangwal? - [ ] Rakesh Gangwal’s foresight about Jet Airways - [ ] The IndiGo of now vs the IndiGo he retired from - [ ] The idea to develop Tbilisi as a hub for Europe ops - [ ] When did IndiGo first think of having a WB aircraft? - [ ] Govt owned Air India vs. Tata owned Air India - [ ] Anecdotes about AI’s lousy work culture - [ ] IndiGo’s current fleet mix & if it betrays the classic LCA model - [ ] Should IndiGo have a scissor hub in Europe? - [ ] Possible IndiGo A350 destinations - [ ] Will IndiGo ever consider Embraer regional jets instead of the ATR? - [ ] Life post-retirement from IndiGo

Vishal Mehra - @vishal1mehra

Topics

Airline Strategy Aircraft & Fleets

Guests

Willy Boulter

Willy Boulter joined The Indian AvGeek as a former Chief Commercial Officer of IndiGo. His conversation draws on a career that also included Etihad and Jet Airways. He reflects on IndiGo's growth, leadership and changing fleet ambitions. The discussion offers historical context for the airline's move towards a more complex international business.