IndiGo hires ex-Tata Payments CEO Gaurav Hazrati for BluChip, fintech
Kalpana Maurya
1 Oct 2026 · 2 min read
IndiGo has appointed Gaurav Hazrati, former chief executive of Tata Payments and president of financial services at Tata Digital, to lead its loyalty, travel marketplace and financial services businesses. The hire signals the airline's push to earn more from customers beyond ticket sales.
IndiGo has appointed Gaurav Hazrati as business head for loyalty, marketplaces and financial services, the airline said in a statement on 30 September 2026. Hazrati, who was previously chief executive and director of Tata Payments and president of financial services at Tata Digital, will oversee the IndiGo BluChip loyalty programme, the airline's travel marketplace and its financial services businesses.
He brings more than 18 years of experience across banking, loyalty and digital financial services, and also served as a non-executive director on the board of Tata Fintech.
Hazrati's background
At Tata Digital, Hazrati was part of the founding leadership team and helped launch and scale the group's loyalty and financial services businesses across payments, credit cards, lending, insurance and investment products. Earlier, he was on the founding team of Axis Direct, the broking arm of Axis Bank, and later held senior roles at IndusInd Bank, where he worked on digital banking, payments, investments and lending.
Describing his mandate, Hazrati said he aims to turn the trust IndiGo has built with flyers into a consumer platform that brings loyalty, marketplace and financial services together, with BluChip rewarding customers for everyday spending as well as flights.
Why IndiGo is building beyond tickets
Airlines are increasingly trying to monetise customer relationships beyond fares. Loyalty programmes can earn revenue from tie-ups with banks, card issuers and retailers, while travel marketplaces earn fees on hotels, holidays and other add-ons, Mint noted.
IndiGo chief executive Willie Walsh said that "creating greater value and deeper engagement for customers across and beyond travel will become increasingly important" as the airline continues its transformation.
BluChip crossed 10 million members fifteen months after launch, Mint reported in February, putting it level with Air India's Maharaja Club. Co-founder Rahul Bhatia told Mint in August that he expects BluChip to become a standalone business within five years.
A string of leadership changes
The hire is the latest of more than half a dozen senior leadership changes at IndiGo since co-founder Rahul Bhatia took charge in March after the abrupt exit of former chief executive Pieter Elbers, and the first since Walsh became CEO in August, according to Mint. The airline recently promoted Gaurav Negi from deputy CFO to CFO, appointed Kanwal Jeet Singh Bakshi as chief human resources officer and named former Air India Express chief executive Aloke Singh as chief strategy officer.
Key facts
- Company: IndiGo
- Appointee: Gaurav Hazrati
- Role: Business Head – Loyalty, Marketplaces and Financial Services
- Remit: IndiGo BluChip, travel marketplace, financial services
- Previous roles: CEO and director, Tata Payments; president – financial services, Tata Digital; non-executive director, Tata Fintech
- Experience: more than 18 years
- IndiGo CEO: Willie Walsh
- Announced: 30 September 2026
Frequently asked questions
Who is Gaurav Hazrati?
A financial services executive who was CEO and director of Tata Payments and president of financial services at Tata Digital before joining IndiGo.
What will Gaurav Hazrati do at IndiGo?
As business head for loyalty, marketplaces and financial services, he will oversee the BluChip loyalty programme, the travel marketplace and financial services.
How many members does IndiGo BluChip have?
BluChip crossed 10 million members fifteen months after launch, Mint reported in February.
Who is IndiGo's CEO?
Willie Walsh, who took charge as chief executive in August 2026.
