India’s largest airline, IndiGo, will terminate its damp lease agreement with Turkish Airlines by August 31, as confirmed by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Friday. The decision follows mounting geopolitical concerns over Turkey’s political alignment with Pakistan, especially after Ankara criticized India’s recent counter-terror airstrikes.
Key Details:
- Aircraft in Question: Two Boeing 777-300ER jets currently operated by IndiGo under a damp lease from Turkish Airlines.
- Route Impacted: These aircraft are deployed for direct flights from Delhi and Mumbai to Istanbul.
- Lease Type: Under a damp lease, the aircraft and cockpit crew are provided by the lessor (Turkish Airlines), while IndiGo deploys its own cabin crew.
- Lease Timeline:
- Originally set to expire on May 31.
- IndiGo requested a six-month extension, which the DGCA rejected.
- A three-month extension was granted as a “one-time, last and final” measure to avoid disruption in passenger services.
- IndiGo has committed not to seek further extension.
Geopolitical Backdrop:
- The termination follows Turkey’s vocal support for Pakistan and its condemnation of India’s recent military actions against terror camps.
- As a result, aviation relations have come under strain:
- The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) has already revoked security clearance for Turkish firm Celebi Airport Services, citing national security.
- Several travel advisory portals and tourism associations have discouraged Indian citizens from visiting Turkey.
IndiGo’s Position:
While IndiGo previously defended the collaboration with Turkish Airlines—highlighting improved international connectivity and job creation—CEO Pieter Elbers said Friday:
“We are compliant today and we will continue to comply with any government regulations.”
Government Review:
Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu recently stated that the ministry had been reviewing security inputs from IndiGo and relevant agencies before arriving at this final decision.
What This Means for Passengers:
- Delhi–Istanbul and Mumbai–Istanbul flights may be temporarily affected until IndiGo arranges alternate wide-body aircraft.
- IndiGo may shift to wet lease options from other carriers or use its own long-haul fleet, currently in development.
This move marks a significant step in how foreign policy shifts are impacting commercial aviation and international travel partnerships.
