Indian Airline
NEW DELHI: An Indian airline, IndiGo, has decided to end its leasing agreement with Turkish Airlines by August 31, following a decision by India’s aviation regulator to only grant a limited extension of the partnership.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) announced on Friday that it had rejected IndiGo’s request for a six-month extension, instead approving only a three-month continuation to ensure passenger convenience. The original lease was set to expire on June 1.
The lease arrangement involved two wide-body Boeing 777 aircraft, which were operated by Turkish Airlines on behalf of IndiGo under a wet-lease agreement. These aircraft, complete with Turkish pilots and some crew, were being used on key international routes between India and Istanbul—specifically from Delhi and Mumbai.
This allowed IndiGo to accommodate more passengers on these long-haul flights, a strategy implemented to compensate for delays in the delivery of its own wide-body aircraft.
IndiGo has defended the Turkish partnership in the past, highlighting that the arrangement has benefited Indian travelers by providing better connectivity to Europe and the United States via Istanbul. The airline has also emphasized that the deal contributed to aviation growth and created jobs in India.
However, the partnership has come under increasing scrutiny following recent geopolitical tensions. Turkey’s vocal support for Pakistan during a recent conflict led to public backlash in India, sparking boycotts of Turkish products such as chocolates, coffee, and clothing. The situation intensified pressure on IndiGo to reassess its partnership with the Turkish national carrier.
The lease termination was further influenced by opposition from rival airline Air India, which lobbied against the deal, citing concerns over national security and competitive fairness.
The Indian government recently revoked the security clearance of Celebi, a Turkish-owned ground handling firm operating in India, also citing national security. This action has led to a legal challenge from Celebi’s Indian subsidiary.
In response to the DGCA’s ruling, IndiGo has formally committed to ending its lease with Turkish Airlines by the end of August and will not pursue any further extensions.
Industry analysts suggest the airline may revert to using narrow-body aircraft on its Istanbul routes or could opt to deploy wide-body planes leased from Norse Atlantic Airways.
Additionally, IndiGo is expected to receive long-range A321XLR aircraft within the current financial year and its first Airbus A350 by early 2027, which could help it expand international operations without relying on foreign wet leases.
