IndiGo Ordered to End Lease Agreement with Turkish Airlines Amid Diplomatic Strain over Turkiye’s Support to Pakistan

In a significant development linked to recent geopolitical tensions, India’s aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), has directed IndiGo to terminate its damp lease agreement with Turkish Airlines for two Boeing 777 aircraft. The airline has been granted a one-time, final three-month extension until August 31 to conclude operations under the lease and make alternate arrangements to avoid sudden disruption of international flights.

This directive comes amid heightened diplomatic unease following Turkiye’s vocal support for Pakistan and condemnation of India’s recent counter-terrorism operations across the border. The issue gained further momentum when the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) revoked the security clearance of Turkish firm Celebi Airport Services India Pvt Ltd on May 15, citing concerns tied to national security.

Currently, IndiGo operates two Boeing 777-300 ER aircraft on a damp lease from Turkish Airlines. These wide-body jets facilitate direct flights between India and Istanbul, covering key sectors like Delhi and Mumbai. The existing lease was set to expire on May 31, and IndiGo had requested a six-month extension to maintain continuity. However, the DGCA has limited this to a three-month period, emphasizing that no further extensions will be considered.

The aviation authority clarified that this final extension was approved solely to prevent inconvenience to passengers who might otherwise face abrupt flight cancellations. In a formal statement, the DGCA stated that the extension was contingent upon IndiGo’s written assurance that it would terminate the lease agreement within the allotted period and not request additional time.

Earlier on Friday, IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers reaffirmed the airline’s commitment to complying with all regulatory mandates. He acknowledged that operations between India and Turkiye fall under a bilateral air services agreement and assured that IndiGo will align with any government directives in this regard.

Meanwhile, Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu revealed last week that the ministry is actively assessing feedback from security agencies and IndiGo before determining a comprehensive course of action.

As the political backdrop continues to evolve, several travel associations and online booking platforms have begun advising Indian citizens against non-essential travel to Turkiye. The situation underscores the growing influence of geopolitical considerations on international aviation and passenger mobility.

This directive signals a firm stance by Indian authorities in aligning civil aviation policy with broader national interests. IndiGo, which has increasingly relied on international codeshare partnerships and leased aircraft to expand its global footprint, will now have to recalibrate its strategy in light of these developments.