IndiGo has confirmed that it will continue its codeshare partnership with Turkish Airlines and is actively exploring alternative solutions to maintain its direct flight operations to Istanbul after the current aircraft lease agreement ends. IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers, speaking in Amsterdam, stated that the airline is considering various scenarios, including deploying A321 aircraft on the Istanbul route, as the damp lease of two Boeing 777-300ER aircraft from Turkish Airlines will conclude by August 31.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) had granted a final three-month extension on May 30 for the damp lease, rejecting IndiGo’s request for a six-month extension. The directive came in light of geopolitical tensions, particularly Turkiye’s public support for Pakistan and criticism of India’s counter-terrorism strikes in May.
Despite the lease’s impending end, Elbers emphasized that operations to Istanbul will continue. “We’re looking at different scenarios to find a solution, but there’s no reason why the codeshare partnership with Turkish Airlines should not continue,” he said. Under the current agreement, the leased B777s are used for direct flights from Delhi and Mumbai to Istanbul, enabling seamless travel under a single ticket through codeshare arrangements.
IndiGo, India’s largest airline with a fleet exceeding 400 aircraft and more than 2,200 daily flights, has also been grappling with ongoing global supply chain disruptions. Elbers acknowledged that while these challenges persist, IndiGo has consistently met its capacity targets, aided by strategic measures such as aircraft lease extensions. He noted a steady decline in the number of grounded aircraft, attributing it to efficient fleet management during post-COVID recovery.
As IndiGo prepares to transition away from leased wide-body jets, the airline is focused on sustaining its international network while maintaining strategic partnerships that enhance connectivity and customer convenience.
