Early Life and Education
Rakesh Gangwal was born in Kolkata, India, in July 1953. He attended Don Bosco School in Park Circus before earning a bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur in 1975. He furthered his education by earning an MBA from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
Rise to Success
Gangwal's career in the aviation industry began in 1980 when he worked with United Airlines as an associate of Booz Allen Hamilton. He joined United Airlines in 1984 as a manager for strategic planning. He later served as the president and CEO of US Airways Group from 1998 to 2001. From June 2003 to August 2007, Gangwal was the chairman, president, and CEO of Worldspan Technologies. Gangwal co-founded IndiGo in 2006 with Rahul Bhatia. In November 2024, he was appointed Chairman of Southwest Airlines. He resigned as Chair in August 2025 but remains on the board.
Key Business Strategies
Gangwal's success stems from his strategic investments and leadership roles within the airline industry. His decision to co-found IndiGo, a low-cost carrier, proved to be a pivotal move, capitalizing on the growing demand for affordable air travel in India. His focus on efficiency, customer service, and employee satisfaction were key components of IndiGo's rapid growth. He also demonstrated a strong ability to build and manage successful businesses.
Philanthropy
Rakesh Gangwal is involved in philanthropy. In April 2022, he donated ₹100 crore (approximately $13.16 million) to IIT-Kanpur to set up a school of medical sciences and technology.
