Amitabh Kant Joins IndiGo Board As Non-Executive Director

IndiGo Airlines has named retired IAS officer Amitabh Kant as a Non-Executive Director on the board of its parent company, InterGlobe Aviation Limited. The appointment, announced on Thursday, remains subject to customary regulatory and shareholder approvals.

Amitabh Kant, a 1980-batch IAS officer from the Kerala cadre, brings more than four decades of public service to the table. His recent role as India’s Sherpa during the G20 Presidency saw him steering the New Delhi Leaders’ Declaration—an accord that tackled pressing global challenges, encouraged robust economic growth, and championed reforms in areas such as climate finance, geopolitics, and digital infrastructure.

Throughout his career, Kant has spearheaded major sustainability programs. He has been instrumental in launching the Green Hydrogen Mission and the National Mission on Transformative Mobility and Battery Storage, initiatives designed to position India at the forefront of clean energy and eco-friendly transportation.

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Tenure At NITI Aayog

For six years, Kant served as Chief Executive Officer of the National Institution for Transforming India (NITI Aayog). Under his leadership, the Aspirational Districts Programme (ADP) lifted underperforming districts into higher tiers of development—a success acknowledged by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). His tenure also included key roles such as Director on the board of the National Highways Authority of India and membership in India’s National Statistical Commission.

Kant’s early work in Kerala’s tourism sector helped establish the state’s global reputation as “God’s Own Country.” He later played a pivotal part in the Incredible India campaign, underscoring the power of branding in driving economic growth. His infrastructure portfolio includes overseeing the Calicut Airport expansion and contributing to the development of the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor.

Commenting on his new role, Kant said, “I am delighted to join the Board of InterGlobe Aviation Ltd (IndiGo). With its scale, efficiency, and international ambition, IndiGo will open up new markets for India and transform our airports into global hubs of connectivity and commerce. I look forward to contributing to IndiGo’s and India's next chapter of trade, tourism, and economic growth.”

Vikram Singh Mehta, Chairman of IndiGo’s Board of Directors, welcomed Kant’s appointment: “IndiGo is delighted to welcome Mr. Amitabh Kant as a Board member… His leadership qualities developed over the years by managing and delivering successful projects of global scale will benefit IndiGo immensely, especially in its fast-paced international expansion.”

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