The stake sale is also likely to trigger a lock-in period of 365 days before Rahul Bhatia promoted InterGlobe Enterprises could execute any further block deals to offload more stake in InterGlobe Aviation.
"This is the first time in many years that he is looking to unlock value and pocket some returns," said one of the persons to Moneycontrol on the condition of anonymity
InterGlobe Enterprises, which owns India's largest airline IndiGo, and Archer Aviation in November 2023 announced that they have entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the goal of partnering to launch and operate an all-electric air taxi service in India.
InterGlobe, the operator of IndiGo Airlines, is the majority shareholder in the Singapore-headquartered company. It will have offices in Delhi-NCR, Hyderabad and Chennai.
As per the Hurun Global Rich List, IndiGo co-founders Rakesh Gangwal and Rahul Bhatia emerged as the wealthiest and second-wealthiest billionaires from the aviation industry.
Billionaires also enjoy simple pleasures of life like everyday people.
A primer on all the essential questions on Rakesh Gangwal’s decision to exit the IndiGo board and the future of India’s largest airline.
The move comes days after the other co-founder Rahul Bhatia, took over as the airlines’ Managing Director with immediate effect for a five-year term.
Gangwal, an aviation industry veteran, owns 14.65 percent of InterGlobe and wife Shobha Gangwal 8.39 percent.
Though Bhatia’s appointment as Managing Director has surprised industry watchers, many believe the airline is gearing up to take on upcoming challenges. Competition is set to heat up with Air India going to the Tatas and ultra-low cost airline Akasa set to enter the market this year.
In an e-mail to employees on Tuesday, Bhatia, who was appointed as the Managing Director on February 4, said that he was looking forward to working closely with the management team just not only to establish and achieve near-term goals but also to get the company to be future ready for the massive opportunity that lies ahead.
Fuelled by higher passenger revenues, the country's largest airline IndiGo on Friday posted a profit after tax of Rs 129.8 crore in the three months ended December 2021 amid the pandemic clouds.
The board of directors, during its meeting on Friday, unanimously approved the appointment of Rahul Bhatia as the managing director with immediate effect, subject to the approval of the shareholders, according to a statement.
Based on proceedings initiated by Rahul Bhatia-owned lnterGlobe Enterprises Private Limited, the London Court of International Arbitration had, on September 25, given the final award in the feud between the two IndiGo promoters.
48.5584 percent of the shareholders voted for the resolution, and 51.4416 percent against it.
The message the order gives out is clear---the airline is not being affected by differences between the promoters.
While a clear answer is elusive, sources said that Rakesh Gangwal may keep away from operational role.
Gangwal is away in the US where he is based and is not attending the AGM
The regulator is said to be not in favour of pacts which may give unequal rights to one set of shareholders.
IndiGo’s board has reached out to former PepsiCo CEO Indra Nooyi to be an independent director
The tussle has gone so far that the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) had to be brought into the matter.
Gangwal also said he does not want to take over InterGlobe Aviation, the company that runs IndiGo. He also clarified that he would not sell his stake in the company, and that he will no longer be a part of the airline’s operations, and will focus on corporate governance issues instead.
Gangwal claims that the agreement between promoters gives Bhatia too much control and that he has used that for some questionable transaction.
Gangwal approaching Sebi suggests that lawyers on both sides have failed to reach a compromise