IndiGo Secures Final Three-Month Extension for Turkish Lease Amid Tensions

IndiGo's Lease Extension with Turkish Airlines

On Friday, the Indian government granted IndiGo, the country's leading airline, a final three-month extension to conclude its leasing arrangement with Turkish Airlines, as reported by a local news outlet.

IndiGo currently operates two Boeing 777-300ER aircraft under a damp lease from Turkish Airlines, utilizing these planes for direct flights connecting Delhi and Mumbai to Istanbul.

According to the terms of the lease, Turkish Airlines provides the aircraft along with crew, maintenance, and insurance, while IndiGo is responsible for ticket sales and marketing efforts.

The airline had initially sought a six-month extension, which was denied by the government.

This decision comes in light of Ankara's backing of Islamabad during recent tensions between India and Pakistan, alongside reports of Pakistan employing Turkish-made drones in the conflict.

The three-month extension was granted just a day before the lease was set to expire, contingent upon IndiGo's commitment to terminate the lease within this period and refrain from requesting further extensions, as stated by a senior official from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation.

The damp lease agreement was established in 2023, and IndiGo has maintained a codeshare agreement with Turkish Airlines since 2018.

Such codeshare agreements enable airlines to market seats on each other's flights, thereby broadening their reach and customer base without the need for additional aircraft.

In light of the deteriorating relations between India and Turkey, IndiGo has assured that its agreements with Turkish Airlines comply with Indian laws and regulations.

IndiGo's CEO, Pieter Elbers, remarked earlier that the airline would adjust its operations in response to any changes in the regulatory framework.

Additionally, on May 15, the Indian government revoked the security clearance for the Turkish ground-handling company Çelebi operating in India.