Budget Indian airline IndiGo has named current IATA director general and former BA boss Willie Walsh as its new chief executive.

The unexpected appointment is being seen as a key plank in the airline’s attempts to put operational difficulties behind it and to expand overseas.

Last year IndiGo was the host airline of the 81^st IATA AGM and World Transport Summit that was held in New Delhi.

Walsh will succeed Pieter Albers at the privately owned ​budget carrier who left following scrutiny from regulators following problems with scheduling.

Walsh’s term heading up global aviation body IATA is due to end on July 31 and IndiGo has said he will join the carrier by August 3 at the latest.