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Sky High: The IndiGo Story
IndiGo was one of the late entrants in the low-cost airline business in India. The market already had strong players by then - many of them new - including Capt. Gopinath's Air Deccan, Ajay Singh's SpiceJet, Vijay Mallya's Kingfisher Airlines and Wadia-group's GoAir. How did IndiGo in a matter of a few years, not only become profitable but also the most valuable airline in the history of Indian aviation while other airlines struggled (and continue to) and others simply grounded? What makes it prosper despite a troubled and often loss-riddled industry?
Sky High will provide a detailed account of how one dream, two friends and some great execution created the biggest airline in India. Based on years of meticulous research, extensive interviews and authoritative data, the book will analyse Indian commercial aviation, decipher the secret behind IndiGo's success and the likely future for the airline.
Sky High will provide a detailed account of how one dream, two friends and some great execution created the biggest airline in India. Based on years of meticulous research, extensive interviews and authoritative data, the book will analyse Indian commercial aviation, decipher the secret behind IndiGo's success and the likely future for the airline.
251 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 28, 2024
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96 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
July 8, 2024
My fastest read of 2024.
This book is a fantastic read, skillfully blending facts with anecdotes to keep the reader thoroughly engaged. The writing is great, and the narrative never hits a dull moment, making it an interesting and captivating experience from start to finish. It offers an intriguing glimpse into Indigo's journey from a fledgling start-up to the aviation giant it is today. The account of the 100-plane Airbus deal was particularly exhilarating!
At first, I was concerned that the book might be overly complimentary about Indigo, and while it does offer praise where it's due, it soon delves into a more balanced perspective. Midway through, the focus shifts, shedding light on Indigo's challenges and the turbulent times it has faced.
The book concludes with a fascinating viewpoint on the future of Indigo, posing thought-provoking questions about its ability to replicate domestic success on international routes amidst the rising competition from Air India.
Apart from a few editing problems here and there, a very interesting read!
This book is a fantastic read, skillfully blending facts with anecdotes to keep the reader thoroughly engaged. The writing is great, and the narrative never hits a dull moment, making it an interesting and captivating experience from start to finish. It offers an intriguing glimpse into Indigo's journey from a fledgling start-up to the aviation giant it is today. The account of the 100-plane Airbus deal was particularly exhilarating!
At first, I was concerned that the book might be overly complimentary about Indigo, and while it does offer praise where it's due, it soon delves into a more balanced perspective. Midway through, the focus shifts, shedding light on Indigo's challenges and the turbulent times it has faced.
The book concludes with a fascinating viewpoint on the future of Indigo, posing thought-provoking questions about its ability to replicate domestic success on international routes amidst the rising competition from Air India.
Apart from a few editing problems here and there, a very interesting read!
August 5, 2024
The author provides an in-depth account of how India's largest airline came into being & the masterminds behind its inception. The numbers provided in some sections also help to understand the context well. The book provides a holistic picture of the airline by covering the financing, human resource management, regulation/lobbying parts,etc. We see a clear picture of how Indigo grew from an underdog to the giant it is today & the organizational changes along with it. Lastly, the book very well outlines what could be the challenges for Indigo going forward, especially after the public fued between the founders . However, I felt that in some sections, though, the author could have explained terms in a better way, especially the 80s & 90s sections where some terms might not be familiar to today's generation. The book also needs some editing as I found some grammatical errors in some parts.
December 8, 2024
IndiGo Airlines, one of India’s largest airline networks, has solidified its reputation with a steadfast commitment to low fares, punctuality, and exceptional customer service. Launched in 2006, the airline now boasts a robust fleet of 153 aircraft, including 32 new-generation A320 NEOs and three ATRs. IndiGo's network spans 48 destinations, with seven international routes, highlighting its significant footprint in both domestic and international markets. This focus on affordability and reliability has made IndiGo a preferred choice for millions of travelers.
Entering the low-cost airline market in 2006, IndiGo faced stiff competition from established players like Air Deccan, SpiceJet, Kingfisher Airlines, and GoAir. Despite being a late entrant, IndiGo's strategic vision and operational excellence enabled it to outperform its competitors. Over the next seventeen years, while many rivals struggled or ceased operations, IndiGo ascended to become the largest and most valuable airline in India's aviation history. This ascent is particularly impressive considering the turbulent nature of the aviation industry, characterized by frequent losses and operational challenges. Tarun Shukla's Sky High meticulously details this journey, highlighting the airline’s strategic maneuvers and competitive edge.
Sky High provides an in-depth exploration of the factors behind IndiGo’s remarkable success. The book investigates how the airline managed to thrive despite the longstanding friendship between its promoters, Rahul Bhatia and Rakesh Gangwal, turning into a public rift. Shukla attributes IndiGo's prosperity to meticulous planning, patient execution, and a relentless focus on operational efficiency. The author draws on extensive research, interviews with key stakeholders, and authoritative data to present a comprehensive narrative. This thorough analysis offers insights into the airline’s strategies, from fleet management to cost control and customer service, which have collectively contributed to its sustained growth and industry leadership.
For those with a keen interest in aviation, Sky High is an indispensable read. Shukla’s engaging narrative style ensures that readers remain captivated from start to finish. The book is filled with fascinating anecdotes and detailed accounts that provide a behind-the-scenes look at IndiGo's rise to prominence. Shukla’s storytelling prowess brings to life the challenges and triumphs faced by the airline, making the complex world of aviation accessible and engaging. Whether you are an “AvGeek” or simply someone looking for an engrossing book, Sky High delivers a compelling story of ambition, perseverance, and success. This meticulously researched book not only informs but also inspires, making it a must-read for anyone interested in the dynamics of the Indian aviation industry.
Entering the low-cost airline market in 2006, IndiGo faced stiff competition from established players like Air Deccan, SpiceJet, Kingfisher Airlines, and GoAir. Despite being a late entrant, IndiGo's strategic vision and operational excellence enabled it to outperform its competitors. Over the next seventeen years, while many rivals struggled or ceased operations, IndiGo ascended to become the largest and most valuable airline in India's aviation history. This ascent is particularly impressive considering the turbulent nature of the aviation industry, characterized by frequent losses and operational challenges. Tarun Shukla's Sky High meticulously details this journey, highlighting the airline’s strategic maneuvers and competitive edge.
Sky High provides an in-depth exploration of the factors behind IndiGo’s remarkable success. The book investigates how the airline managed to thrive despite the longstanding friendship between its promoters, Rahul Bhatia and Rakesh Gangwal, turning into a public rift. Shukla attributes IndiGo's prosperity to meticulous planning, patient execution, and a relentless focus on operational efficiency. The author draws on extensive research, interviews with key stakeholders, and authoritative data to present a comprehensive narrative. This thorough analysis offers insights into the airline’s strategies, from fleet management to cost control and customer service, which have collectively contributed to its sustained growth and industry leadership.
For those with a keen interest in aviation, Sky High is an indispensable read. Shukla’s engaging narrative style ensures that readers remain captivated from start to finish. The book is filled with fascinating anecdotes and detailed accounts that provide a behind-the-scenes look at IndiGo's rise to prominence. Shukla’s storytelling prowess brings to life the challenges and triumphs faced by the airline, making the complex world of aviation accessible and engaging. Whether you are an “AvGeek” or simply someone looking for an engrossing book, Sky High delivers a compelling story of ambition, perseverance, and success. This meticulously researched book not only informs but also inspires, making it a must-read for anyone interested in the dynamics of the Indian aviation industry.
January 4, 2025
Fly High: The Indigo Story is an inspiring and transformative read that delves deep into the entrepreneurial journey of creating one of India's most successful airlines, Indigo. This book stands out as a testament to the power of self-confidence, visionary thinking, risk-taking, and the ability to create something extraordinary out of seemingly ordinary circumstances.
One of the highlights of the book is the brilliantly written and highly informative account of the backgrounds of Rakesh Gangwal and Rahul Bhatia, the two visionaries behind Indigo. The author masterfully captures their contrasting yet complementary personalities, experiences, and perspectives, showcasing how their synergy became the foundation of Indigo's success. From Rakesh's extensive aviation expertise to Rahul's sharp business acumen, their journey is both inspiring and instructive, offering readers valuable insights into the mindset and determination required to build a world-class enterprise.
What makes this book exceptional is how it intertwines practical business lessons with motivating anecdotes. It vividly illustrates the importance of dreaming big and having the courage to execute those dreams despite challenges. Each chapter is brimming with insights that resonate not just with entrepreneurs but with anyone seeking to break barriers and push boundaries in their respective fields.
The narrative is both engaging and thought-provoking, making it hard to put down. It’s not just a story of business success but also a manual for aspiring leaders who want to defy conventional norms.
I highly recommend Fly High: The Indigo Story to all entrepreneurs and dreamers. It’s a book that leaves you inspired to aim higher, think bigger, and take bold risks to create something extraordinary.
Truly one of the best reads I’ve come across this year!
One of the highlights of the book is the brilliantly written and highly informative account of the backgrounds of Rakesh Gangwal and Rahul Bhatia, the two visionaries behind Indigo. The author masterfully captures their contrasting yet complementary personalities, experiences, and perspectives, showcasing how their synergy became the foundation of Indigo's success. From Rakesh's extensive aviation expertise to Rahul's sharp business acumen, their journey is both inspiring and instructive, offering readers valuable insights into the mindset and determination required to build a world-class enterprise.
What makes this book exceptional is how it intertwines practical business lessons with motivating anecdotes. It vividly illustrates the importance of dreaming big and having the courage to execute those dreams despite challenges. Each chapter is brimming with insights that resonate not just with entrepreneurs but with anyone seeking to break barriers and push boundaries in their respective fields.
The narrative is both engaging and thought-provoking, making it hard to put down. It’s not just a story of business success but also a manual for aspiring leaders who want to defy conventional norms.
I highly recommend Fly High: The Indigo Story to all entrepreneurs and dreamers. It’s a book that leaves you inspired to aim higher, think bigger, and take bold risks to create something extraordinary.
Truly one of the best reads I’ve come across this year!
February 21, 2025
This book was a quick read without any boring parts. The book was an amazing insight into the workings of an airline business and why indigo succeeded when their other established counterparts failed. My take away is that indigo succeeded because it had two true professionals with specialised skill sets calling the shots instead of flamboyant billionaires. Gangwal ji locked up rock solid contracts with the aircraft manufacturers while Bhatia ji got the attention to detail for the passenger experience and the “skills” to get government approvals. As a businessman and indigo shareholder, it really pains me that they parted ways in such terms but I have full trust in Rahul ji and team to continue to take indigo to greater heights. The attrition problems indigo face is very comparable to my industry as it is very easy for cash rich foreign MNCs to poach homegrown talent with the offer of better pay checks and foreign travel. Therefore we Indian companies must become truly world class in terms of perks and benefits for Indian employees if we want them to be world-class. I just hope India speeds up the process of opening more airports as the aeroplane orders of both indigo and air India are ambitious. We really need to expand capacity so that the cost of airfare can come down and so that we are better connected to each other and the world. As for the book itself, the minor editing mistakes can be ignored as the content is rich and I am no snob.
August 13, 2025
A solid investigative reporting story that morphed into an insightful biography of India's largest airline, Tarun Shukla pulls out all of the stops to clearly demonstrate why Indigo is the way it is, and why it sometimes shouldn't be.
Taking us right from the start when Rahul Bhatia and Rakesh Gangwal decided to start an airline and change the face of Indian aviation for the 21st century, Shukla brilliantly highlights why Indigo's cost-saving measures and business model made it a highly successful airline which transformed into a collosal aviation empire despite being an LCC(low cost carrier). His anecdotal focus on the impact of government lobbying, internal management matters, branding and image to even the mindset behind creating the food menu inside the flights made for a really interesting read.
Shukla manages to paint a really balanced picture about how Indigo's David defeated the Goliaths of Vijay Mallya's Kingfisher airlines and Naresh Goyal's Jet Airways during the dawn of the 21st century - brutally exposing the flaws of arguably India's most successful airline while also chronicling how it became so ridiculously successful in the first place.
As somebody who had little to no knowledge about the aviation sector, this book was a huge refresher on what it takes to survive in the highly regulated, heavily capital intensive and extremely revenue-tight Indian aviation space and for that, it deserves a seriously
thorough read.
Rating - 8.5/10
Taking us right from the start when Rahul Bhatia and Rakesh Gangwal decided to start an airline and change the face of Indian aviation for the 21st century, Shukla brilliantly highlights why Indigo's cost-saving measures and business model made it a highly successful airline which transformed into a collosal aviation empire despite being an LCC(low cost carrier). His anecdotal focus on the impact of government lobbying, internal management matters, branding and image to even the mindset behind creating the food menu inside the flights made for a really interesting read.
Shukla manages to paint a really balanced picture about how Indigo's David defeated the Goliaths of Vijay Mallya's Kingfisher airlines and Naresh Goyal's Jet Airways during the dawn of the 21st century - brutally exposing the flaws of arguably India's most successful airline while also chronicling how it became so ridiculously successful in the first place.
As somebody who had little to no knowledge about the aviation sector, this book was a huge refresher on what it takes to survive in the highly regulated, heavily capital intensive and extremely revenue-tight Indian aviation space and for that, it deserves a seriously
thorough read.
Rating - 8.5/10
August 28, 2024
-Arrival of a Behemoth-
Review of Sky High
All those who have flown for work or pleasure more than once must have taken an Indigo plane. According to statistics, every second Indian domestic flier flies on an Indigo plane. Indigo, hence, is to Indian aviation what Android is to mobiles.
Tarun shukla has been a renowned name in journalism, especially aviation. Having worked at Mint, Economic Times and Wall Street Journal, he has been known for stories that ruffle up feathers, not just of low-flying birdies but of high-nested hawks too. He has been at loggerheads with various business-personalities and ministers and here too, he hasn't pulled any punches. The book calls a spade and spade. Never before have I read such a scathing and fiery foreword in a book.
But what exactly has led Indigo achieve nearly 70,000 crore annual turnover? Shukla gets down into the trenches and comes out with conversational gems and what not. His records of interviews with Bhatia and Gangwal, whose friendship has now irrevocably damaged, are juicier than a ripe orange. Brewed for more than a decade, the book reads like a fine piece of investigative journalism.
Read it if you love non fiction told like a many layered story
Review of Sky High
All those who have flown for work or pleasure more than once must have taken an Indigo plane. According to statistics, every second Indian domestic flier flies on an Indigo plane. Indigo, hence, is to Indian aviation what Android is to mobiles.
Tarun shukla has been a renowned name in journalism, especially aviation. Having worked at Mint, Economic Times and Wall Street Journal, he has been known for stories that ruffle up feathers, not just of low-flying birdies but of high-nested hawks too. He has been at loggerheads with various business-personalities and ministers and here too, he hasn't pulled any punches. The book calls a spade and spade. Never before have I read such a scathing and fiery foreword in a book.
But what exactly has led Indigo achieve nearly 70,000 crore annual turnover? Shukla gets down into the trenches and comes out with conversational gems and what not. His records of interviews with Bhatia and Gangwal, whose friendship has now irrevocably damaged, are juicier than a ripe orange. Brewed for more than a decade, the book reads like a fine piece of investigative journalism.
Read it if you love non fiction told like a many layered story
January 5, 2025
"Sky High" by Tarun Shukla is the foremost seminal work on IndiGo - India's aviation behemoth with a market capitalization of INR 1.7 T and ~60% market share of the Indian aviation market.
The book chronicles all facets of the airline right from its promoters' early careers till the ongoing industry consolidation, shedding light on management, financing, operations, regulation, and culture. From the vantage of a qualified MBA - known to have studied multiple aviation case studies - the book is the holy grail of all aviation case studies I have read and is peppered with several subtle management nuances that add up to pivotal competitive positions.
The book albeit crisp, succinct, and to the point, may have benefitted from visualizations, e.g., timelines for history, images of key constituents, network diagrams, and marketing campaigns, and appendices / schedules on items such as aircraft financing amongst others.
Nevertheless, I strongly recommend a read of this book for not only general knowledge but critical management lessons for readers alike.
The book chronicles all facets of the airline right from its promoters' early careers till the ongoing industry consolidation, shedding light on management, financing, operations, regulation, and culture. From the vantage of a qualified MBA - known to have studied multiple aviation case studies - the book is the holy grail of all aviation case studies I have read and is peppered with several subtle management nuances that add up to pivotal competitive positions.
The book albeit crisp, succinct, and to the point, may have benefitted from visualizations, e.g., timelines for history, images of key constituents, network diagrams, and marketing campaigns, and appendices / schedules on items such as aircraft financing amongst others.
Nevertheless, I strongly recommend a read of this book for not only general knowledge but critical management lessons for readers alike.
September 2, 2024
I breezed through this fantastic book in just two days—clearly, it’s a page-turner! Having spent the last couple of months hopping between Indigo flights, I couldn't help but wonder how they managed to scale up so rapidly, with their expansion happening right before my eyes. While the intricate details of Indigo’s rise aren’t exactly common knowledge, this book dives deep into the story of how this low-cost carrier took off. The author then takes us on a thrilling ride through its rapid expansion, pedal to the metal.
It’s packed with valuable insights on execution, the importance of contracts, and mastering the nuances of operations. After reading, Indigo feels like a finely-tuned Rolex—each flight a testament to the countless gears and levers working in perfect harmony to ensure every takeoff and landing goes off without a hitch.
It’s packed with valuable insights on execution, the importance of contracts, and mastering the nuances of operations. After reading, Indigo feels like a finely-tuned Rolex—each flight a testament to the countless gears and levers working in perfect harmony to ensure every takeoff and landing goes off without a hitch.
August 4, 2024
Terrific book, with in-depth research and good story-telling. In many sections, I couldn't put the book down; wanted to drink up how the IndiGo brand was/is being built and how they grew so quickly to where they are. So many learnings from this book.
We read lots of books about international brands like Patagonia, Zappos, Nike and their inside stories. This was one such rare piece on an Indian brand. Have hardly seen any other similar books, except perhaps on Tata.
I loved the journalistic approach to the writing. It has been written objectively, purely with the intent of giving us an inside view, not trying to colour our opinions.
If Tarun Shukla wrote any more inside stories, I'd be among the first to pick it up and read it.
We read lots of books about international brands like Patagonia, Zappos, Nike and their inside stories. This was one such rare piece on an Indian brand. Have hardly seen any other similar books, except perhaps on Tata.
I loved the journalistic approach to the writing. It has been written objectively, purely with the intent of giving us an inside view, not trying to colour our opinions.
If Tarun Shukla wrote any more inside stories, I'd be among the first to pick it up and read it.
November 3, 2025
Every Business or Person has a lot of potential and also some dark patches
If we tune ourselves with focus, discipline and hope we unleash our potential else fall down due to our dark side
This philosophy is the essence of the book.
Learned these:-
1. Negotiating Skills
2. Scale Thinking
3. Managing the system
Finally got reminded as to Marshall Goldsmith’s teaching— what took you here will not take you there ….
One sad feeling — 30 year old friendship died — Rahul & Rakesh should speak and resolve their differences— let them be friends for ever why to fight over business issues not everything needs to be dictated by commercial terms, sometimes the people around them would have blown the differences into a full scale war … sad point for me.
If we tune ourselves with focus, discipline and hope we unleash our potential else fall down due to our dark side
This philosophy is the essence of the book.
Learned these:-
1. Negotiating Skills
2. Scale Thinking
3. Managing the system
Finally got reminded as to Marshall Goldsmith’s teaching— what took you here will not take you there ….
One sad feeling — 30 year old friendship died — Rahul & Rakesh should speak and resolve their differences— let them be friends for ever why to fight over business issues not everything needs to be dictated by commercial terms, sometimes the people around them would have blown the differences into a full scale war … sad point for me.
October 30, 2024
Was this book an engaging read? Yes.
Was it an easy read? Yes.
Was it entertaining? Yes.
Did I learn anything new or ground-breaking? Not really.
It mostly talks about how any big business would be built in India (and probably also the world). Lots of lobbying. Lots of bending the law. Lots of greasing of palms. Lots of personality cults. Lots of infighting. Lots of games with industry regulators. And so on...
The real insights of what sets IndiGo apart and what one can truly learn from them, are very few, if not completely missing from this book.
It's a well-polished gossip session of interesting, surprising, and scandalous events that happened during IndiGo's journey.
Was it an easy read? Yes.
Was it entertaining? Yes.
Did I learn anything new or ground-breaking? Not really.
It mostly talks about how any big business would be built in India (and probably also the world). Lots of lobbying. Lots of bending the law. Lots of greasing of palms. Lots of personality cults. Lots of infighting. Lots of games with industry regulators. And so on...
The real insights of what sets IndiGo apart and what one can truly learn from them, are very few, if not completely missing from this book.
It's a well-polished gossip session of interesting, surprising, and scandalous events that happened during IndiGo's journey.
January 18, 2025
Its an intresting account of how indigo airlines has become an aviation behemoth. Late to start with so many other rivals in low fare aviation; the book tells how Rahul and Gangwal created the airlines. Low cost carriers and specifically indigo how it has cut costs to stay profitable all along. Only women crew, no ovens, controling pilferage, economy on tarmac…it’s a delight to read… usp is always on time, never earn the tag of economy or cheap airlines. How the first deal was brokered. Extra seats, airbus entry post 9/11. What was the cause of its success; may become its undoing. Good book on business of aviation.
October 1, 2024
Really fast and insightful read on one of the most successful start up airline story out of India-Indigo. I found the backgrounds on the Founders really inspiring. To see the contrast between the founder personalities and how they dealt with their role in building Indigo has taught me some good life lessons as an entrepreneur myself. Finished the book in one take so kudos to Tarun for making this really life story thrilling and easy to read. Will recommend to all those interested in entrepreneurship and the India story.
July 28, 2024
Tarun Shukla has provided a rich account of the inner going ons of the aviation sector in India and is particularly impressive because so little was known about the Indigo Airline promoters. He has not spared anyone and appears as a non-biased reporter of the highs and lows of this high-flying industry.
September 9, 2024
The author in general has done a good job of consolidating all the stories around indigo. Some information in the book is repetitive in nature,
Implying book was not edited and proofread thoroughly. If you have been actively following news cycle over the years, there will be just a little more new information.
Implying book was not edited and proofread thoroughly. If you have been actively following news cycle over the years, there will be just a little more new information.
August 19, 2024
Book is all about Indigo Airline one of the most successful Airline in india , it's already cracked the domestic as well as short-haul routes. but I would love to read the second part (May be after a decade) about their business strategy on long-haul routes or wide-body aircraft.
September 20, 2024
More than what you would have asked for
Access to both promoters where we know media and analysts haven’t been possible; balanced view on both internal and external accounts. Very well written - fast and gripping
Access to both promoters where we know media and analysts haven’t been possible; balanced view on both internal and external accounts. Very well written - fast and gripping
October 2, 2024
Light on details about the airline. But an easy read
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews