Quick Info
| Profession | Airline executive, Director General of IATA |
|---|---|
| Nationality | Irish |
| Date of Birth | 25/10/1961 |
| Age | 64 years |
| Birthplace | Dublin, Ireland |
Latest News about Willie Walsh
31/03/2026
Willie Walsh was appointed as the new CEO of IndiGo, India's leading airline, on March 31, 2026. The appointment addresses succession uncertainties following the abrupt departure of former leader Pieter Elbers, with Walsh taking over the role while continuing his position as chief of IATA.
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Bio/Wiki
| William Matthew Walsh is an Irish airline executive who has served as Director General of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) since April 2021. | |
| He previously served as CEO of Aer Lingus, British Airways, and International Airlines Group (IAG). | |
| In March 2026, he was appointed as the new CEO of IndiGo, India's leading airline, succeeding Pieter Elbers. |
Personal Life
| Residence | Twickenham, West London |
|---|
Career
| Cadet pilot, Aer Lingus (1979) | Boeing 737 captain |
|---|---|
| CEO, Futura (Aer Lingus Spanish Charter airline) | 1998-2000 |
| COO, Aer Lingus | 2000-2001 |
| CEO, Aer Lingus | 2001-2005 |
| CEO, British Airways | 2005-2011 |
| CEO, International Airlines Group (IAG) | 2011-2020 |
| Director General, International Air Transport Association (IATA) | April 2021-present |
| Chairman, IATA Board of Governors | 2016-2017 |
| Chairman, National Treasury Management Agency of Ireland | Current |
| CEO, IndiGo | March 2026-present |
Social Media
| https://www.linkedin.com/in/willie-walsh-898019213 |
Some Lesser Known Facts
| 1. Joined Aer Lingus as cadet pilot at age 17. | |
| 2. Served as union agitator early in pilot career at Aer Lingus. | |
| 3. Named 2014 Laureate for Commercial Aviation by Aviation Week & Space Technology. | |
| 4. Publicly criticized UK Prime Minister David Cameron in 2013. |