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Industry experts highlighted that the commercial engagement between IndiGo and Turkish Airlines, is more beneficial to the latter allowing it to capture Indian passengers for its network.
In an indication that country’s largest airline IndiGo will not undertake any spontaneous decision with regard to commercial relationship with Turkish Airlines, the carrier’s chief executive officer (CEO) highlighted that the engagement with the foreign airline remains in conformity with the framework of the air service agreements between the two nations.
Last week, the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) revoked the security clearance given to Turkish-origin airport ground handling services company Celebi, which operated at nine Indian airports, including Delhi and Mumbai International Airport. The development happened after Turkey supported and armed Pakistan against India during the four-day military skirmish from May 7 to 10. The airport partners of Celebi, including Delhi, Bengaluru and Mumbai International Airport, immediately severed ties with the ground handling firm after the action from BCAS.
“All of the flights between India and Turkey are within the framework of the air service agreements between the two nations. The operations which are taking place are fully compliant and in line not only with the regulatory framework, but also by all the rules and regulations from the government,” said Pieter Elbers, CEO, IndiGo, in a conference call with analysts on Wednesday, responding to a query on the impact of the geopolitical situation.
Europe is a key market for IndiGo and the airline has relied on its partnership with Turkish Airlines, including aircraft lease and codeshare pact, to expand its reach in the continent. A codeshare agreement is a commercial arrangement between two airlines to sell seats on each other’s flights with the aim to offer its customers a large variety of destinations to choose. Such an agreement is margin accretive for IndiGo.
“We still have lots and lots of Indian customers booked on these flights, mostly connecting over Istanbul and then flying to other parts of the world for their travel needs,” he added.
Elbers however gave a cautious response to a query related to the leasing of Boeing 777 aircraft from Turkish Airlines. IndiGo had earlier opted to operate Boeing 777 aircraft to Istanbul on a damp lease from Turkish Airlines due to capacity shortage and supply chain issues in the aviation industry. The agreement helped IndiGo to gain experience on operating wide-bodied aircraft. The lease agreements for the Boeing 777 are coming up for renewal.
“On the renewal, that’s up for the government to decide on that,” said Elbers.
Advantage Istanbul
Industry experts highlighted that the commercial engagement between IndiGo and Turkish Airlines, is more beneficial to the latter allowing it to capture Indian passengers for its network.
“IndiGo should not play the role of a feeder airline to Turkish Airlines and deprive other carriers of passengers. It is acting as a feeder and taking away passengers from other airlines which provide direct and point-to-point services to long-haul destinations,” said Jitender Bhargava, aviation sector expert and former executive director of Air India.
Istanbul provides several connecting flights on Turkish Airlines’ network to the rest of Europe and North America.
Amongst Indian airlines, Air India currently provides several direct flights to Europe and beyond to North America through its wide-bodied fleet of aircraft, which IndiGo lacks as of now.
While IndiGo has placed an order for wide-bodied aircraft with Airbus, deliveries of which are scheduled to start from 2027, the damp lease of Turkish Airlines’ Boeing 777 enabled the airline to have the much needed experience of operating wide-bodied aircraft.
- Published On May 22, 2025 at 08:51 PM IST
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