Photo Credit: The Times of India
India’s largest airline, IndiGo, finds itself at a geopolitical crossroads as the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) grants a final three-month extension for its wet lease agreement with Turkish Airlines. The airline will now be allowed to operate the wide-body Boeing 777s on the India-Turkey route until August 31, 2025 — but beyond that, the runway ends.
This decision, though expected, has triggered industry-wide discussions on how politics, aviation policy, and competitive lobbying are reshaping India’s international flight corridors.
Why This Lease Matters
IndiGo’s deal with Turkish Airlines, signed in 2023, allowed it to operate long-haul flights between Delhi/Mumbai and Istanbul on a wet-lease model. This meant Turkish Airlines provided not just the aircraft, but also crew, maintenance, and insurance — a full-service package. IndiGo handled route scheduling, marketing, and ticketing.
For a low-cost carrier looking to test long-haul waters without investing in its own wide-body fleet, this was a smart move. However, the geopolitical weather has since turned stormy.
Geopolitics Enters the Cockpit
India’s increasingly strained diplomatic ties with Turkey — due to Ankara’s vocal support of Pakistan on Kashmir and Gaza — have started reflecting in civil aviation policy. The DGCA, citing “policy concerns,” has clearly labeled this the last and final extension of the lease.
Insiders say this decision has not emerged in a vacuum. Earlier this month, India’s Ministry of Home Affairs also revoked security clearance for Turkish ground-handling giant Celebi, hinting at a broader clampdown on aviation-related business ties with Turkey.
Air India’s Shadow in the Background
Adding another layer to this story is Air India’s alleged lobbying to end IndiGo’s wet lease. According to Reuters, sources claim that Air India pushed for the termination to protect its own long-haul business, especially on overlapping routes like Delhi-Istanbul.
With Tata-owned Air India investing heavily in new wide-body aircraft and international expansion, competition in the skies is intensifying — and policy influence may now be part of that arsenal.
What’s Next for IndiGo?
For IndiGo, the clock is ticking. Once the lease expires in August, the airline must either find new partners, pivot back to narrow-body international operations, or invest in its own long-haul fleet — a shift that would mark a major strategic transition for the low-cost giant.
While the airline has expressed interest in acquiring wide-body aircraft in the past, no firm announcements have been made. A post-Turkish era could see IndiGo exploring European or Gulf-based lease partnerships — though geopolitical alignment may once again be key.
The Bigger Picture: Aviation Meets National Interest
This move sends a clear message: India’s foreign policy priorities are now shaping its aviation decisions. While such political considerations are not new globally, this is one of the most visible cases in India where diplomatic discomfort has influenced airline operations directly.
The case also reignites debates about the balance between open skies agreements and strategic self-reliance, especially as Indian carriers aim to transform the country into a major international hub.
