IndiGo Ends Turkish Airlines Lease, But Keeps Codeshare and Istanbul Route Intact

IndiGo was recently in the spotlight following reports that it might halt its use of Turkish Airlines’ aircraft due to rising geopolitical tensions between India and Turkey—tensions sparked after Ankara voiced support for Pakistan over India’s military actions earlier this year.

Amid fears that the airline’s direct route to Istanbul might be suspended, the narrative has now taken a turn. IndiGo has confirmed that it will continue operating flights to Istanbul, even as its lease of Turkish Airlines’ widebody aircraft nears its end.

Flight Continuity Despite Diplomatic Turbulence
India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has granted IndiGo a final three-month lease extension, allowing the airline to continue using Turkish Airlines’ Boeing 777 aircraft until August 31. This temporary reprieve gives IndiGo time to realign its strategy for the Istanbul route without losing connectivity.

This decision comes at a critical juncture, as diplomatic ties between India and Turkey remain strained. Yet, despite the pressure, IndiGo is doubling down on its Istanbul operations, recognizing the strategic importance of the route in its international network.

New Strategy for Istanbul: Airbus A321 May Take Over
Speaking from Amsterdam, indigo CEO Pieter Elbers reaffirmed the airline’s commitment to serving Istanbul. One of the key strategies being evaluated is to replace the widebody Boeing 777s with indigo airlines own Airbus A321 aircraft. Though these aircraft are smaller and designed for medium-haul travel, they are seen as a potential solution to sustain the route independently.

This shift, however, brings operational and financial challenges. Without the logistical support and capacity of Turkish Airlines’ widebody fleet, longest indigo flight will need to navigate route economics carefully, especially given Turkish Airlines’ strong presence on the same corridor.

Codeshare with Turkish Airlines to Continue Unaffected
Importantly, the codeshare agreement between indigo flights and Turkish Airlines will remain intact. Elbers emphasized the value this partnership brings to both carriers, allowing them to market seats on each other’s flights and offer passengers a seamless travel experience across networks — all on a single ticket.

This arrangement continues to offer significant benefits, even as the wet-lease of Turkish widebody jets comes to an end. Still, analysts suggest that the ongoing geopolitical backdrop could place this codeshare pact under closer regulatory watch in the near future.

IndiGo’s Broader International Vision
While adapting to changes in the Istanbul route, IndiGo is also accelerating its global expansion strategy. As part of its international growth plans, the airline is set to launch 10 new overseas destinations across Europe and Central Asia, along with four new domestic connections, by FY 2026.

Of particular note, IndiGo will begin long-haul, non-stop services from Mumbai to Manchester and Amsterdam starting July 2025. These new routes will be operated using Boeing 787 Dreamliners wet-leased from Norse Atlantic Airways, signaling indigo flight readiness to partner with alternate global players as it ventures deeper into long-haul aviation.

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