India Cuts Aviation Ties With Turkey? Know Why IndiGo Informed To Finish Lease Amid Operation Sindoor Row

In a major diplomatic transfer after Turkey’s overt assist for Pakistan throughout Operation Sindoor, the Indian authorities has requested finances airline IndiGo to cancel its plane leasing settlement with Turkish Airways. The Ministry of Civil Aviation has prolonged a last three-month reprieve to IndiGo, enabling it to maintain two leased Boeing 777 planes in operation until August 31, 2025.

The motion comes on the heels of the Centre’s resolution to withdraw the safety clearance of Turkey-associated floor dealing with agency Celebi Aviation that held presence at 9 worldwide airports throughout India, together with Delhi. Citing nationwide safety, Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol stated, “Turkey had brazenly supported Pakistan. In view of the present scenario, this has grow to be a difficulty of nationwide safety.”

Extension of damp lease of two B777-300ER plane by IndiGo Airways from Turkish Airways.

DGCA says, “IndiGo is presently working two B777-300ER plane underneath damp lease from Turkish Airline, which was permitted upto 31.05.2025. IndiGo requested for an additional extension of… pic.twitter.com/S2HijDq0Bx
— ANI (@ANI) Could 30, 2025

Last Extension For IndiGo-Turkish Pact

IndiGo’s preliminary lease authorisation was efficient till Could 31. The service had requested a six-month extension to maintain the wide-body planes flying on worldwide long-haul routes. The ministry, nonetheless, turned it down and gave a one-time last extension.

“IndiGo has been granted a one-time final and last extension of three months as much as 31.08.2025 for these damp-leased plane, primarily based on the endeavor from the airline that they’ll terminate the lease with Turkish Airways inside this extension interval, and shall not search any additional extension,” said the ministry in a launch.

IndiGo additionally has a codeshare settlement with Turkish Airways. In an interview with NDTV earlier, IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers confirmed that the airline is in step with Indian laws however is able to alter if insurance policies change.

“If the federal government had been to vary its algorithm, after all we are going to comply,” Elbers stated. “Our solely strain is guaranteeing service continuity for purchasers who’ve positioned their belief in us.”

Turkey’s Position Throughout Operation Sindoor

Turkey had infuriated India after giving agency diplomatic backing to Pakistan after the Pahalgam terror assault that resulted within the deaths of 26 people. Whereas India carried out cross-border retaliation — codenamed Operation Sindoor — Turkish-made drones had been stated to have been utilized by Pakistan to launch a counterattack.

The missiles and drones fired from throughout the border had been largely countered by India’s state-of-the-art air protection programs, together with the S-400 and native missile programs, throughout three days of battle. 

Authorized Hurdles For Celebi Aviation

After the ban on Celebi Aviation, the Turkish firm approached a number of excessive courts questioning the choice of the federal government. Whereas listening to one such petition, the Delhi Excessive Court docket noticed, “The rule is healthier secure than sorry,” in impact supporting the federal government’s cautious strategy.

Since diplomatic strain continues, Centre’s instruction to chop aviation relations with Turkish gamers is being considered as a part of a wider gamut to fight states brazenly supporting hostile exercise in opposition to India.