New Delhi: With Turkiye supporting Pakistan during the recent Indian military’s Operation Sindoor, Air India has lobbied Indian officials to stop IndiGo’s leasing tie-up with Turkish Airlines, Reuters reported. The report mentioned that the Tata Group-owned airline made its point forward against its domestic rival airline citing business impact as well as security concerns raised after Istanbul’s support for Islamabad.
The report claimed that Air India approached the Civil Aviation ministry to stop repeated extensions of the leasing deal, claiming that the existing arrangement between Turkish Airlines and IndiGo is benefitting Turkey and hurting India’s aviation sector.
Air India submitted a document stating that the aircraft leasing arrangement between Turkish Airlines and IndiGo had led to “a substantial increase in seat capacity” to Turkey, which has boosted the country’s tourism as well, Reuters quoted a source as saying.
Boycott calls have been resonating across India after Turkiye and Azerbaijan supported Pakistan and condemned India’s recent military strikes on terror camps in the country and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) under Operation Sindoor.
Indian armed forces have also confirmed that Pakistan used a large number of Turkish drones to attack military bases in India. While New Delhi’s trade ties with both Istanbul and Baku countries have already come under scrutiny, multiple educational institutions, including Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), have either suspended their collaboration with Turkish universities or are considering it.
Alwar’s fruit markets, Delhi’s Azadpur Mandi and some other fruit markets in India have decided not to sell Turkish apples. Lucknow jewellers have decided to boycott Turkish jewellery.
Meanwhile, BCAS on May 15,2025 revoked the security clearance for Turkish company Celebi Airport Services India Pvt Ltd. The aviation watchdog stated that the decision was taken in the “interest of national security”.
Amid boycott Turkey calls, IndiGo has maintained that its partnership with Turkish Airlines benefits Indian travellers, improves connectivity, makes international travel more affordable and helps in the country’s economy.
IndiGo has the largest fleet of planes in India and offers direct flights from Delhi to Istanbul. It has taken two leased aircraft from Turkish Airlines with over 500 seats each capacity. The airline has a codeshare partnership with Turkish Airlines.
Air India is lobbying the Indian government to halt IndiGo’s aircraft leasing agreement with Turkish Airlines, citing security concerns and economic disadvantages stemming from Turkey’s support for Pakistan. Biz News Business News – Personal Finance News, Share Market News, BSE/NSE News, Stock Exchange News Today
