Bruce Ashby VP US Airways to take over as IndiGo CEO

New York: Bruce Ashby, executive vice president, marketing and planning, US Airways, has been appointed as chief executive of IndiGo, one of the new entrants to the low-cost Indian aviation sector, which is expected to begin operations next year.

Ashby who helped guide the US company's bankruptcy reorganisation will step down as US Airways' marketing head by the month-end. Rakesh Gangwal, one of the lead investors in IndiGo, a former chief executive of US Airways, is said to have roped in Ashby who had served under him.

IndiGo, positioned as a low-cost airline, will focus on the domestic aviation market. It recently announced the order of 100 single-aisle Airbus A320s valued at $6 billion. Ashby held a variety of senior positions in his nine years at US Airways including finance, operations, corporate development, planning and marketing.

Ashby's responsibilities will be split among other members of the bankrupt airline's management team as it moves toward completion of its planned merger with America West Holdings Corp., according to a statement from US Airways.