The Centre has directed IndiGo to terminate its lease arrangement with Turkish Airlines
IndiGo To End Lease With Turkish Airlines By August 31: Civil aviation regulator DGCA has approved an agreement between IndiGo and Turkish The agreement has been extended for three months. This will allow IndiGo to continue operating two Boeing 777 aircraft on the Delhi and Mumbai to Istanbul route. Earlier, this deadline was ending on 31 May. This decision has come at a time when India’s geopolitical tension with Turkey is increasing. The reason for this is Turkey’s support for Pakistan in recent conflicts. The government has also revoked the security clearance of the Turkish ground handler company Celebi. This shows the tense relations between the two countries.
Indigo had demanded
IndiGo Airlines had sought an extension of six months. According to a new policy, airlines can lease aircraft for six months. Regulator DGCA can extend it for another six months. IndiGo had leased these aircraft in November last year.
IndiGo is India’s largest airline. It signed this agreement with Turkish Airlines till early 2023. This was done because many of IndiGo’s Airbus A320neo aircraft were not able to fly due to problems with Pratt & Whitney engines. The leased Boeing 777 aircraft can carry up to 500 passengers. This has helped the airline to continue its international flights.
Indigo came to the rescue
IndiGo has defended the extension of this agreement. The company says that this will increase travel options for Indian passengers. Also, it will help the airline to enter long-haul markets. IndiGo also plans to buy its large-sized aircraft. The company has ordered Airbus A350-900s, with delivery expected to begin in 2027.
According to Mr. Peter Elbers, CEO of IndiGo, “Flights between India and Turkey come under the bilateral air service agreement. We are working by the rules today and shall continue to act by the government’s rules in the future.”
Why was it approved?
With the approval of the DGCA, IndiGo can operate leased aircraft. According to the rules, such arrangements can be made in emergencies. However, the DGCA had earlier also expressed concern over the long-term leasing of aircraft. The regulator had emphasized that domestic airlines should develop their capacity for large aircraft.
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