Indigo Airline Crisis: Indigo owner Rahul Bhatia, who is facing crisis, did not give up even after losing everything at the age of 28 and started InterGlobe with Rs 15 lakh. In 2006, he formed Indigo Airline with Rakesh Gangwal.
IndiGo Owner Story: The country’s largest airline Indigo is in the headlines these days. There is an atmosphere of chaos for the last four days, more than 2,000 flights have been cancelled. Be it Delhi, Mumbai or Bengaluru, the rush of passengers at every airport, long queues and sky-high fares of other airlines are increasing the problems of the people. Meanwhile, Rahul Bhatia, the man behind Indigo, has come into the limelight. Being the boss of Indigo, everyone wants to know about him. He is not only the owner of IndiGo, but is also the Managing Director, Promoter and Co-Founder of InterGlobe Aviation Limited. His life has been quite interesting. Know how he created India’s number-1 airline…
Rahul Bhatia’s studies and start of business
Rahul Bhatia was born on 18 December 1955. His childhood was spent in Delhi. He went to Canada for studies and obtained a degree in Electrical Engineering. While living abroad, he also worked in IBM for two years. He wanted to return to India and start a telecom company, but due to some reason this dream was not fulfilled, so his interest in teaching increased, but when his father’s health deteriorated, family responsibilities changed his path. He had to take over the family business.
Rahul Bhatia expelled from family business
Rahul Bhatia’s father ran a travel agency. In 1964, along with 9 partners, he started an airline named ‘Delhi Express’. A lot changed after Rahul’s entry. In 1991, business partners bought more stocks without informing him and tricked him out of his own family business. This time was the most difficult period of Rahul’s life. Then his age was only 28 years. He did not give up. Started a company named ‘Interglobe’ with Rs 15 lakh, which was involved in IT, BPO, travel, transportation and hospitality.
How did Indigo start?
In 2000, IITians Rakesh Gangwal and Rahul Bhatia met. Both of them planned to start airlines in 2004 and after getting the license, started Indigo in 2006. The company’s first flight took off in the same year. The promise of low fares and good timing gradually took the company to the top. However, in 2019, there was a rift between the two partners regarding the company and Gangwal had to step down as a board member.
net worth of indigo owner
Rahul Bhatia does not stay much in limelight. He has always liked a simple life. Many times he is seen wearing only shirt and pants in meetings. They are rarely seen in formal coat-pants or fancy clothes. His net worth is around Rs 72,000 crore.
Achievements of Rahul Bhatia
- EY’s ‘Entrepreneur of the Year’ Award in 2010
- ‘Outstanding Startup Award’ in 2011
- By 2012, IndiGo became India’s largest airline.
- 22nd richest in India according to Bloomberg Billionaires Index.