‘Slasher’ Walsh Takes One of Aviation’s Toughest Jobs at IndiGo

Six years after stepping down as IAG SA chief executive officer, Willie Walsh is returning to the frontlines of global aviation — taking one of the industry’s most challenging roles at the helm of troubled Indian carrier IndiGo.

Walsh’s first priority will be to stabilize India’s biggest airline after a self-inflicted operations meltdown in December sent the carrier into crisis mode, wiped billions of dollars off its market value and eventually led to the departure of Pieter Elbers as CEO. Walsh will start in the role no later than Aug. 3, IndiGo said Tuesday.