In response to Turkey’s recent public support for Pakistan amid increased geopolitical tensions in South Asia, the Indian government has ordered IndiGo, the nation’s largest airline, to end its aircraft lease arrangement with Turkish Airlines within three months.
Celebi Aviation, a ground-handling company with ties to Turkey that operated at nine major Indian airports, including Delhi, had its security certification revoked by the Indian government just before the decision.
Turkey’s overt assistance for Pakistan during and after Operation Sindoor, an Indian military reaction to a terrorist attack in Pahalgam that claimed 26 lives, was used as justification for this action on the grounds of national security.
Turkish Airlines presently leases two of IndiGo’s Boeing 777-300ER aircraft on a damp lease; under this arrangement, IndiGo provides its own cabin crew while Turkish Airlines provides the aircraft and pilot crew.
As a vital link for Indian passengers continuing on to Europe, the US, and other foreign locations, these planes have been crucial to the continuation of IndiGo’s international operations, especially on routes from Delhi and Mumbai to Istanbul.
IndiGo had applied for a six-month extension from the Ministry of Civil Aviation because the original lease authorization was scheduled to expire on May 31, 2025. In order to prevent any immediate interruption for passengers, the ministry denied this request and instead granted a one-time, final three-month extension until August 31, 2025.
This extension is non-renewable, as stated by the Ministry of Civil Aviation. IndiGo has promised not to pursue any additional extensions for these operations and to end the existing lease with Turkish Airlines by August 31. The ruling emphasizes the government’s intention to steer clear of any routine dealings with organizations viewed as pro-Pakistan, particularly in light of persistent security issues and diplomatic tensions.
These events are taking place during a time of intense diplomatic tension. Turkey publicly supported Pakistan, denounced India’s airstrikes on Pakistani terror camps, and allegedly helped Pakistan deploy Turkish drones in its retaliatory assaults against India. With the government taking a cautious and security-first stance, these steps have prompted a more thorough review of India’s economic and security relations with Turkey.
Pieter Elbers, the CEO of IndiGo, has reaffirmed the airline’s dedication to following all legal requirements. The airline will continue to service its passengers during the transition time, he emphasized, but it will modify its operations in accordance with any adjustments mandated by regulations.
Notably, this lease termination only affects two of IndiGo’s more than 400 aircraft, minimizing operational interruption but signaling a major change in the airline’s partnering approach.
This ruling has significant wider ramifications. It shows that the Indian government is prepared to use economic and regulatory means to express disapproval of foreign regimes that it believes are jeopardizing India’s security interests.
The action also emphasizes how geopolitics and commercial aviation are intertwined, with international alliances being quickly reassessed in response to changes in diplomatic ties. Due to the lease’s termination, IndiGo must now look for alternate agreements to keep its international connectivity while complying with government regulations and causing the least amount of inconvenience to passengers.
