NEW DELHI: IndiGo has appointed former Federal Aviation Administration administrator Michael Whitaker as an independent director, signaling the airline’s intention to increase its global footprint. This is the second stint of Whitaker at InterGlobe Enterprises (which owns IndiGo).
After spending almost 15 years at United till mid 2009, he had joined InterGlobe Enterprises in Sept that year as group CEO. He remained with IndiGo promoter & MD Rahul Bhatia ’s group till Oct 2012.
The next year, then US President Obama appointed him as deputy administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and he obtained his private pilot certificate during his stint there till June 2016. Later Whitaker worked at Supernal, a Hyundai company developing an electric vertical take off and landing (eVTOL) vehicle. Bhatia’s InterGlobe is going to start eVTOL service in India within the next two years. In Oct 2023, Whitaker was unanimously confirmed by the US Senate and sworn in as FAA administrator and he remained there till Jan 2025.
About this appointment, Rahul Bhatia said: “Mike’s deep and varied industry and government experience will contribute significantly to having an effective and diverse Board. His focus on efficiency, operations, and air safety as head of the FAA will reinforce IndiGo’s long standing focus on operating at the highest levels. Also, his extensive experience in International Governmental Affairs will be hugely instrumental as IndiGo continues its global expansion.”
Whitaker said: “I am deeply honored to have the privilege of joining the board of the world’s fastest growing airline on its way to become a global aviation giant. India is one of the world’s great travel hubs with unlimited growth potential. I look forward to working with the Board to continue the growth of this world-leading Indian company.”
Whitaker had begun his 30-year aviation career as a lawyer with Trans World Airlines in New York. He holds a juris doctorate degree from Georgetown University Law Center in Washington.
After spending almost 15 years at United till mid 2009, he had joined InterGlobe Enterprises in Sept that year as group CEO. He remained with IndiGo promoter & MD Rahul Bhatia ’s group till Oct 2012.
The next year, then US President Obama appointed him as deputy administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and he obtained his private pilot certificate during his stint there till June 2016. Later Whitaker worked at Supernal, a Hyundai company developing an electric vertical take off and landing (eVTOL) vehicle. Bhatia’s InterGlobe is going to start eVTOL service in India within the next two years. In Oct 2023, Whitaker was unanimously confirmed by the US Senate and sworn in as FAA administrator and he remained there till Jan 2025.
About this appointment, Rahul Bhatia said: “Mike’s deep and varied industry and government experience will contribute significantly to having an effective and diverse Board. His focus on efficiency, operations, and air safety as head of the FAA will reinforce IndiGo’s long standing focus on operating at the highest levels. Also, his extensive experience in International Governmental Affairs will be hugely instrumental as IndiGo continues its global expansion.”
Whitaker said: “I am deeply honored to have the privilege of joining the board of the world’s fastest growing airline on its way to become a global aviation giant. India is one of the world’s great travel hubs with unlimited growth potential. I look forward to working with the Board to continue the growth of this world-leading Indian company.”
Whitaker had begun his 30-year aviation career as a lawyer with Trans World Airlines in New York. He holds a juris doctorate degree from Georgetown University Law Center in Washington.
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