As IndiGo Airlines faces one of its toughest phases with widespread delays, operational strain and thousands of passengers stranded aviation experts are asking a pointed question. Gangwal, once the force behind IndiGo’s famously disciplined operations, left the airline in 2022 after a bitter and public clash with co-founder Rahul Bhatia. Since then, IndiGo’s leadership and internal culture have undergone major changes something analysts believe may be contributing to the airline’s ongoing troubles.
While India’s largest airline struggles on home turf, Gangwal has quietly taken his expertise to the global stage. He invested around $108 million in the US-based Southwest Airlines and, in November 2024, was unexpectedly elevated to the position of chairman. Though he stepped down from the role in August this year citing lack of time, he continues to hold key responsibilities on the board.
Who Is Rakesh Gangwal?
Rakesh Gangwal is an Indian-American billionaire and one of the world’s most respected aviation minds. Known for his deep operational expertise, he has helped shape major airlines across the globe, from United Airlines to Air France and India’s own IndiGo.
How Rakesh Gangwal Co-Founded IndiGo
Gangwal’s early professional life took him through some of the world’s biggest aviation companies. He worked with management consultancy Booz Allen Hamilton, where he first interacted with United Airlines as a client. Impressed with his analytical skills, United later hired him, and he spent nearly a decade working in key management positions.
He later moved to a senior leadership role at Air France, gaining strong international experience in airline operations and fleet management. By the time he was in his mid-50s, Gangwal had already built a reputation as one of the most capable airline strategists in the world.
In 2006, sensing India’s growing aviation potential, Gangwal partnered with Rahul Bhatia to launch IndiGo. Industry insiders often credit Gangwal with shaping the airline’s DNA. He insisted on:
- strict punctuality
- operational discipline
- fast aircraft turnaround
- high fleet utilisation
- a professional culture built on systems rather than personalities
These principles became IndiGo’s competitive edge. Today, even critics agree: IndiGo would not be what it is without Gangwal’s influence.
What Is Rakesh Gangwal’s Net Worth?
According to Forbes, Rakesh Gangwal’s net worth stands at $6.7 billion (as of July 14, 2025). Over the years, Gangwal sold a major part of his holdings in InterGlobe Aviation, earning an estimated $4–$6 billion. He is still believed to hold around 5% of IndiGo.
Gangwal now plays a major role in the United States as well. He chairs the Fleet Oversight Committee at Southwest Airlines, one of the largest airlines in the world. He owns 3.61 million shares of Southwest making him the largest individual insider shareholder, holding 64% of all insider-owned stock.
His expertise remains so influential that even major institutional investors, including State Street, BlackRock, and Elliott Investment Management, closely watch his decisions.
