Over the past few weeks, Operation Sindoor has triggered a fallout on social media, extending beyond the ongoing war of perception. A trend calling for a boycott of Turkey—similar to the earlier 'Boycott Maldives' campaign—gained traction across platforms. This is not the first time such social media movements have gone viral in recent years.
In response, travel platforms Cox & Kings and Ixigo suspended bookings to Turkey, along with a few other destinations. As lists of Turkish brands available in India circulated on social media and WhatsApp, the partnership between IndiGo and Turkish Airlines also came under scrutiny.
Renewed calls for a boycott intensified following reports of Turkish drones being used by Pakistan against India, Turkey's open support for Pakistan, and the flight paths of military aircraft between the two countries, suspected to be transporting equipment or drones. Turkey has been supplying military hardware to Pakistan and others, despite being a member of NATO.
Although the current boycott sentiment is relatively new, Turkey’s support for Pakistan is longstanding. This has often been cited as a factor behind the stagnant bilateral air services agreement, which has restricted the expansion of direct flights between India and Turkey.
IndiGo, India’s largest airline, has maintained a codeshare agreement with Turkish Airlines since late 2018. In May 2023, IndiGo inducted its first wide-body aircraft on damp lease from Turkish Airlines. It has also leased aircraft from Turkey-based Corendon Airlines to address capacity shortages.
Air India—also a Star Alliance member like Turkish Airlines—has had an interline agreement with the carrier for an even longer period, allowing ticket sales via Turkish Airlines’ website and other platforms. SpiceJet has similarly relied on Turkish carriers in the past for wet lease operations during times of fleet shortfall.
Turkish Technic, the MRO arm of Turkish Airlines, has partnerships with both Air India and IndiGo. Recently, an Air India Boeing 777 was sent to Turkey for comprehensive base maintenance. In February 2025, Turkish Airlines entered into an agreement with Air India Express to provide component support for a fleet of 190 Boeing aircraft.
Turkish company Celebi is a major player in India's ground handling sector. Since entering the Indian market in 2008, it has expanded operations to Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Kochi, Goa, Chennai, and Kannur. Celebi also handled ground services for VIPs during the high-profile G20 summit held in Delhi.
Social media-led boycott calls are not new. Similar campaigns emerged against China following the Galwan clash in 2020, and against the Maldives during its heated election season, where slogans such as “India Out” gained prominence.
Only 1,30,805 Indians visited the Maldives in 2024, a 37% drop from 209,193 in 2023. This followed the “Boycott Maldives” trend earlier in 2024 and Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Lakshadweep that same January. The decline was also reflected in reduced air traffic between the two nations.
Despite boycott sentiments, trade data paints a different picture. According to the Department of Commerce, India exported goods and services worth $15,141 million to China in 2024, while imports stood at $1,09,359 million. In 2019—pre-COVID and pre-Galwan—exports were $17,122 million, with imports at $68,350 million.
Crucially, with IndiGo and the Air India group together commanding over 90% market share in India, most domestic travellers cannot bypass these carriers. This means airlines are unlikely to face serious commercial repercussions from individual boycott efforts.
(By arrangement with livemint.com)
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