DGCA Asks IndiGo to End Turkish Wet Lease by August, No Further Extension Allowed

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has granted only a three-month extension to IndiGo's wet lease agreement with Turkish Airlines, which provides the airline with two B777-300ER aircraft. The extension is shorter than the six months allowed under current regulations and less than what the airline had requested, the aviation regulator said on Friday.

"IndiGo is currently operating two B777-300ER aircraft under damp lease from Turkish Airlines, which was permitted up to 31 May. IndiGo requested a further extension of six months, which was not agreed to," the DGCA said in a statement, as reported by Moneycontrol.

"However, to avoid passenger inconvenience due to immediate flight disruptions, IndiGo has been granted a one-time, last and final extension of three months, up to 31 August 2025, for these damp-leased aircraft, based on an undertaking from the airline that it will terminate the damp lease with Turkish Airlines within this extension period and will not seek any further extension," the statement added.

IndiGo currently operates direct flights to Istanbul using two wet-leased Boeing 777 aircraft from Turkish Airlines, each with a seating capacity of over 500 passengers. Through its codeshare agreement with the Turkish carrier, IndiGo also offers connections to more than 40 destinations across Europe and the United States.

Speaking to PTI, IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers stated that the airline would comply with any government directives regarding its use of leased aircraft from Turkish Airlines.

This development comes amid rising tensions between India and Turkey, following Turkey's support for Pakistan in a recent border dispute. Reports alleged that Pakistani forces used Turkish-supplied weapons in attacks targeting Indian cities—a move strongly condemned by New Delhi. In response, the Indian government revoked security clearance for Celebi, a Turkish ground-handling firm, citing national security concerns. The company has since challenged the decision in court.

Civil Aviation Minister K. Rammohan Naidu recently said that the ministry is consulting IndiGo and security agencies regarding the use of Turkish-leased aircraft and will decide on the way forward based on their input. Elbers reiterated that all operations between India and Turkiye fall under the existing bilateral air service agreement and that IndiGo remains in compliance with all applicable regulations.