The Indian government has directed IndiGo, the country’s largest airline, to terminate its damp lease agreement with Turkish Airlines for two Boeing 777-300ER aircraft within a three-month period. The directive, issued on Friday, May 30, 2025, comes amid heightened diplomatic friction between New Delhi and Ankara, following Turkey’s vocal support for Pakistan in the wake of the April 22, 2025, Pahalgam terrorist attack.
DGCA Grants Limited Extension to Avoid Disruptions
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), India’s aviation regulatory authority, issued a statement clarifying the decision. IndiGo, which operates two leased Boeing 777-300ER aircraft from Turkish Airlines under a damp-lease arrangement, had sought a six-month extension to continue the agreement beyond its original expiration date of May 31, 2025. The DGCA, however, rejected the request for a full extension, citing national interests.
“To minimise passenger disruption from immediate flight cancellations, IndiGo has been granted a one-time, final three-month extension until August 31, 2025, for these damp-leased aircraft,” the DGCA stated. “This extension is conditional on IndiGo’s commitment to terminate the damp lease with Turkish Airlines by the stipulated deadline and refrain from seeking further extensions for these operations.”
The leased aircraft, each with a capacity of over 500 seats, are currently deployed on IndiGo’s direct flights between India and Istanbul. Additionally, the airline offers codeshare seats to over 40 destinations in Europe and the United States through its partnership with Turkish Airlines. A codeshare agreement allows passengers to book a single ticket for travel on flights operated by partner airlines, facilitating seamless connectivity.
Context of Strained Bilateral Ties
The decision to terminate the lease agreement follows a series of developments that have strained India-Turkey relations. On May 15, 2025, the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) revoked the security clearance of Celebi Airport Services India Pvt Ltd, a Turkish company providing ground handling services at nine major Indian airports, including Delhi. The revocation was attributed to national security concerns, particularly in light of Turkey’s public support for Pakistan following the Pahalgam terrorist attack.
The April 22 attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, heightened tensions between India and Pakistan, with Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan openly expressing solidarity with Islamabad. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s recent visit to Istanbul, where he met Erdoğan, further underscored the strengthening ties between Turkey and Pakistan. A statement from Erdoğan’s office highlighted plans to enhance cooperation in defence, energy, and transportation.
Sharif, in a post on X, expressed gratitude for Erdogan’s “resolute support” during the India-Pakistan standoff, stating, “Had the honour of meeting my dear brother President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in Istanbul this evening. Thanked him for his resolute support to Pakistan in the recent Pakistan-India standoff. We also reviewed the ongoing progress of our multifaceted bilateral engagements, particularly in trade and investment, and reaffirmed our resolve to continue working closely to further strengthen these unshakeable bonds of brotherhood and cooperation. Long live Pakistan-Turkey Friendship.”
Impact on IndiGo’s Operations
IndiGo, which operates a fleet of over 400 aircraft and conducts approximately 2,200 daily flights, connects more than 90 domestic and 40 international destinations. The airline maintains 10 codeshare partnerships, including the one with Turkish Airlines, which has been pivotal for its long-haul operations to Istanbul and beyond.
Broader Implications
The directive to IndiGo is part of a broader Indian response to Turkey’s alignment with Pakistan, which has included actions such as the revocation of Celebi Aviation’s security clearance and advisories from online travel portals and industry associations recommending against travel to Turkey.
These measures reflect India’s firm stance against countries perceived to support Pakistan’s position in the ongoing geopolitical tensions.
The Indian government’s actions also come in the context of recent military developments. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif acknowledged that India’s BrahMos missile strikes had thwarted a planned Pakistani offensive, a rare admission that has further intensified regional dynamics.
