DGCA Clears IndiGo-Turkish Airlines Lease Till Feb 2026

01 Sep 2025 CW Team

In a formal statement, IndiGo acknowledged the DGCA’s decision, stating, “We acknowledge the acceptance of IndiGo’s request for extension to its wet lease arrangement with Turkish Airlines, subject to conditions laid down by the regulator. This approval comes at a crucial time and will help mitigate losses to Indian aviation due to geopolitical restrictions, while greatly benefitting Indian travellers during the peak travel season by ensuring seamless, direct connectivity to Istanbul and beyond.”

The airline emphasised that the continued partnership supports operational stability during a period of heightened geopolitical uncertainty, particularly affecting international travel routes. It added that the extended arrangement would help avoid disruptions and serve the rising demand for global connectivity from Indian passengers.

IndiGo also expressed gratitude towards the authorities, stating, “We are thankful to the authorities for accepting our request for extension. As always, we continue to be fully compliant with the relevant regulations and conditions laid down by the authorities.”

Earlier in May 2025, the DGCA had approved a one-time, last and final three-month extension until August 2025 for the "damp-leased" aircraft from Turkish Airlines. Commenting on that extension, IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers had said it would assist the airline in managing ongoing operations and honouring customer bookings.

“We have the coming month to find a solution for the customers which were booked. The extension helps us, of course, to have more time to get that addressed, and we’ll look at how to incorporate it,” Elbers had stated during a press briefing in the capital.

The extended wet lease agreement ensures that IndiGo can maintain uninterrupted access to key international routes while navigating global aviation uncertainties, particularly those linked to airspace restrictions in conflict zones.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has approved IndiGo’s request to extend its wet lease arrangement with Turkish Airlines, allowing the partnership to continue until 28 February 2026, subject to regulatory conditions. The extension, confirmed by both the airline and regulatory sources on Friday, replaces the current approval, which was set to expire on 31 August.In a formal statement, IndiGo acknowledged the DGCA’s decision, stating, “We acknowledge the acceptance of IndiGo’s request for extension to its wet lease arrangement with Turkish Airlines, subject to conditions laid down by the regulator. This approval comes at a crucial time and will help mitigate losses to Indian aviation due to geopolitical restrictions, while greatly benefitting Indian travellers during the peak travel season by ensuring seamless, direct connectivity to Istanbul and beyond.”The airline emphasised that the continued partnership supports operational stability during a period of heightened geopolitical uncertainty, particularly affecting international travel routes. It added that the extended arrangement would help avoid disruptions and serve the rising demand for global connectivity from Indian passengers.IndiGo also expressed gratitude towards the authorities, stating, “We are thankful to the authorities for accepting our request for extension. As always, we continue to be fully compliant with the relevant regulations and conditions laid down by the authorities.”Earlier in May 2025, the DGCA had approved a one-time, last and final three-month extension until August 2025 for the damp-leased aircraft from Turkish Airlines. Commenting on that extension, IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers had said it would assist the airline in managing ongoing operations and honouring customer bookings.“We have the coming month to find a solution for the customers which were booked. The extension helps us, of course, to have more time to get that addressed, and we’ll look at how to incorporate it,” Elbers had stated during a press briefing in the capital.The extended wet lease agreement ensures that IndiGo can maintain uninterrupted access to key international routes while navigating global aviation uncertainties, particularly those linked to airspace restrictions in conflict zones.

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