Ton Dortmans, an aviation veteran, has joined IndiGo Airlines. In an announcement released by IndiGo, Ton joins IndiGo, providing technical entry into service of the airline’s Airbus A350 and the buildup of its overall Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) capabilities.
Ton Dortmans History with KLM
Dortmans career at KLM Royal Dutch Airlines began on Aug. 1, 1985, spending nearly 40 years at the company. During his time at KLM, he worked in different positions such as Engineering & Maintenance (E&M), Ground Services, Flight Operations, and the Operations Control Centre. In an announcement by KLM on Oct. 14, 2024, plans for his retirement in 2025 were mentioned, and his successor was to be Mathieu Essenberg effective on Jan. 1, 2025. Dortman was appointed the Executive Vice President (EVP) of E&M at KLM in 2012. As EVP of E&M, he was responsible for the maintenance of KLM’s fleet and 200 external MRO customers worldwide.
Supporting IndiGo
In mid 2022, IndiGo launched several initiatives one of which included the ordering of wide-body aircraft Airbus A350, powered by Rolls-Royce engines, expected to be delivered in early 2027. This is part of IndiGo’s plan, “Towards New Heights and Across New Frontiers”. Ton will oversee the growing fleet of IndiGo, including the operation and maintenance of the A350 that will be delivered in 2027. He will work with Parichay Dutta, IndiGo’s Senior Vice President of engineering and report to Isidro Porqueras, the chief operating officer at IndiGo. Pieter Elbers, chief executive officer at IndiGo said
“Ton has a wealth of experience in the field of MRO and wide-body airline operations that IndiGo will benefit from. At IndiGo, we are delighted and grateful that, post retiring from his illustrious KLM career, Ton will join us to support IndiGo’s team for the next phase to become a Global Aviation player. The opportunity to develop such MRO capabilities in house for IndiGo in India with home-grown talent and the volumes of our operation was just not to be missed.”
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