IndiGo will be allowed to operate its two widebody Boeing 777 aircraft leased from Turkish Airlines until August 31. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has granted the low-cost carrier a final, non-renewable three-month extension after the airline agreed in writing to terminate the lease within this window. The original lease was set to expire on May 31. IndiGo had requested a six-month extension, which the DGCA declined.
The two aircraft were taken on “wet lease” in 2023—a deal where the aircraft, crew, maintenance and insurance are all provided by the lessor, in this case, Turkish Airlines. IndiGo, meanwhile, handles ticket sales and branding. The move allowed the Indian carrier to expand into long-haul routes like Istanbul without buying expensive widebody jets of its own.
IndiGo, known mostly for its single-aisle Airbus A320 family planes, has over 430 aircraft in its fleet. But only three are widebodies—two leased from Turkish Airlines and another from Norse Atlantic Airways. The Turkish jets were essential for launching services to Istanbul, a destination beyond the reach of IndiGo’s narrowbody planes.
However, the airline’s wet lease setup has drawn regulatory and diplomatic scrutiny, especially as India-Turkey ties have taken a hit in recent weeks. Tensions escalated following Turkey’s vocal support for Pakistan after the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22 and India’s subsequent military response through Operation Sindoor on May 7.
Though the DGCA hasn’t directly linked its decision to the geopolitical backdrop, the finality of the extension and the sharp three-month cut from the requested six months suggest an increasingly cautious regulatory mood.
Meanwhile, another Turkish-linked company has already run into trouble. On May 15, the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) cancelled the security clearance of Istanbul-based Celebi Aviation Holding, which provides ground handling services at major Indian airports. The move was officially pegged to national security concerns. Celebi has since challenged the decision in court.
Speaking to journalists, IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers stood by the airline’s partnership with Turkish Airlines, pointing out that the operations are well within the framework of bilateral air service agreements.
“These agreements define how many flights can be operated between countries. We’re in full compliance with those rules,” Elbers said, while also hinting that the airline is prepared to change tack if the rules shift. “If the framework changes, we’ll adapt. That’s how international aviation works,” he added.
He also noted that the flights have seen strong demand, mostly from Indian passengers. “People have already made plans and booked tickets. Our focus is to serve those travellers while keeping an eye on how the situation evolves,” he said.
