The Indian government has reopened its review of the wet lease and codeshare agreement between Turkish Airlines (THY) and IndiGo.
According to sources close to the matter, it is unlikely that the government will approve the extension of the wet lease agreement between InterGlobe Aviation Ltd. (IndiGo) and Turkish Airlines, which is set to expire on 31 May. Under this arrangement, Turkish Airlines’ Boeing 777 aircraft were being used for IndiGo’s flights from Delhi and Mumbai to Istanbul, allowing the Indian carrier to operate on these routes despite lacking long-haul aircraft of its own. However, this cooperation is now under threat due to political pressures and security concerns.
Rising Political Pressure
On 14 May, BJP MP Praveen Khandelwal wrote a letter to Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu, arguing that the partnership could be seen as “indirect support to a regime that may undermine India’s interests.” Khandelwal urged the government to reassess such aviation partnerships in the context of national security and foreign policy.
Air India Appeals to the Government
The pressure is not only political. India’s flag carrier, Air India, formally requested that the government terminate the THY–IndiGo agreement, claiming it poses a “security risk” and provides an unfair advantage to a rival airline.
IndiGo’s Defence: “We Contribute to the Economy”
In response to the criticism, IndiGo told NDTV Profit that the collaboration supports economic growth, is a “win-win” arrangement, and makes long-haul travel more accessible for Indian passengers. The airline also highlighted that the partnership enables it to offer seats to over 40 destinations in Europe and the United States.
What Does the Agreement Involve?
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Turkish Airlines provides aircraft along with crew and maintenance under its own operational control.
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IndiGo handles local operations in India, ticket sales, and codesharing.
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The Boeing 777 aircraft offer over 500 seats, making them the largest capacity aircraft in IndiGo’s fleet.
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The agreement is renewed every six months in accordance with aviation regulations.
Is IndiGo’s International Expansion at Risk?
IndiGo has been relying heavily on this deal to maintain a competitive edge on long-haul routes. As the airline currently has no long-haul aircraft in its own fleet, it has placed orders for 40 Airbus A321XLRs and 30 Airbus A350s. However, deliveries of these aircraft will take time, putting IndiGo’s international expansion plans in jeopardy if the THY partnership ends.
