Our Bureau
New Delhi
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has granted IndiGo a final three-month extension to operate two Boeing 777 aircraft wet-leased from Turkish Airlines, amid rising diplomatic tensions between India and Turkey. The extension, announced Friday, allows IndiGo to continue using the widebody planes until August 31, 2025, after the airline submitted an undertaking to terminate the lease within this period and pledged not to seek further extensions.
The wet lease—under which Turkish Airlines provides the aircraft, crew, maintenance, and insurance while IndiGo handles ticketing and marketing—was set to expire on May 31. IndiGo had requested a six-month extension, but the DGCA approved only a one-time, three-month extension to prevent immediate disruption to passengers’ travel plans.
The move comes as relations between India and Turkey have grown tense following Turkey’s diplomatic and military support to Pakistan in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor earlier this year. Despite these tensions, IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers defended the partnership, stating that all operations are conducted within international norms and government regulations.
The wet lease, initiated in 2023, enabled IndiGo to launch flights to Istanbul, a route beyond the range of its predominantly narrow body fleet. Of IndiGo’s 430 aircraft, only three are widebody jets—two from Turkish Airlines and one from Norse Atlantic Airways.
Elbers highlighted that the leased aircraft address a clear passenger demand, with most travelers being Indian nationals. “Our priority is to ensure that we continue to serve them while remaining alert to any regulatory or geopolitical changes,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security recently revoked the security clearance of Istanbul-based Çelebi Aviation Holding, a major ground handler at Indian airports, citing national security concerns. The Bombay High Court has temporarily stayed any replacement of Çelebi pending further review.
