Pieter Elbers appointed Chair of IATA Board of Governors

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has reported that Pieter Elbers, CEO of IndiGo, has commenced his role as Chair of the IATA Board of Governors (BoG). His one-year tenure began at the end of the 80th IATA Annual General Meeting in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, on June 3, 2024.

Elbers, the 82nd Chair of the IATA BoG, previously served on the BoG from 2016 to 2022 during his time as KLM’s President and CEO. He was reappointed to the Board in 2022 after assuming his role as CEO of IndiGo. He takes over from Yvonne Manzi Makolo, CEO of RwandAir, who will continue her service on the BoG.

“I am honoured to step into this role at a pivotal moment when India is rising as one of the globe’s largest and fastest-growing aviation markets, becoming a significant player in the airline industry. Upholding IATA’s tradition of promoting aviation as a positive force, we will continue to demonstrate the advantages of aviation in fostering connections, enhancing trade, tourism, and mobility—benefits that are especially evident in India. Equally important is our commitment to a more diverse, equitable, inclusive, and sustainable aviation industry, creating lasting positive impacts. IATA is crucial in setting global standards, and I look forward to collaborating with industry leaders, regulators, and stakeholders worldwide,” Elbers stated.

With over 30 years of extensive experience in aviation, Elbers has been at the helm of IndiGo since September 2022, steering the airline towards expansion and internationalisation. Before joining IndiGo, he served as President and CEO of KLM for eight years. Elbers began his career at KLM in 1992 as Manager of Aircraft Loading and held various senior executive roles in The Netherlands, Japan, Greece and Italy.

Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General, said, “I look forward to working with Pieter as we address the industry’s sustainability goals, manage supply chain challenges, and uphold the global standards vital for efficient connectivity. I also extend my gratitude to Yvonne for her exceptional leadership over the past year. Her efforts have firmly established the Focus Africa initiative to enhance aviation’s social and economic benefits on the continent. As our first female BoG Chair, Yvonne has been an inspiration for the 25by2025 initiative to improve gender balance in aviation.”

IATA has announced that Luis Gallego Martin, Chief Executive Officer of IAG (representing IBERIA), will serve as Chair of the BoG from June 2025, following Elbers’ term.