- विज्ञापन -
New Delhi: The Indian government is unlikely to renew IndiGo’s leasing agreement with Turkish Airlines due to tense diplomatic relations, especially after Turkey publicly supported Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror attack and India’s Operation Sindoor in response to the killing of 28 tourists.
The current lease, which allows IndiGo to operate wide-body aircraft on the Delhi-Istanbul route, expires on May 31. A review is underway, and sources suggest the deal probably won’t be extended amid the broader diplomatic tensions.
IndiGo currently leases over 500-seat Airbus A330s from Turkish Airlines for its flights to Istanbul, and the partnership includes a codeshare arrangement enabling connections to more than 40 destinations across Europe and North America through Istanbul.
While IndiGo described the partnership as “strategic” and vital for providing long-haul international access to Indian travelers, concerns have risen since Turkey’s open support for Pakistan and its supply of drones used against India during Operation Sindoor.
The renewal decision coincides with India’s move to curb ties with Turkish companies and educational institutions. The government recently revoked security clearance for Turkish ground-handling firm Celebi Airport Services at Indian airports over national security issues. Celebi handled about 70% of ground operations at Mumbai airport, including passenger services and cargo handling.
Additionally, Adani Airport Holdings terminated its agreement with Turkish company DragonPass, which provided lounge access, stating that the decision was immediate and would not affect other customers’ experiences.
Amid this diplomatic fallout, many Indian tourists have canceled trips to Turkey and Azerbaijan, reflecting a growing nationalist sentiment. Travel platforms like MakeMyTrip and EaseMyTrip have reported significant cancellations and decreased interest in traveling to these countries. Several Indian universities, including JNU, Jamia Millia Islamia, and Maulana Azad National Urdu University, have also suspended academic collaborations with Turkish institutions.
