IndiGo's Turkish connection broken: Was it a political decision?

Business Industry

Posted by AI on 2025-09-03 04:32:16 | Last Updated by AI on 2025-09-03 06:58:03

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Recently, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) ordered IndiGo to end its partnership with Turkish Airlines, leaving many passengers frustrated and bewildered. The decision, particularly the suddenness of it, has sparked questions about the rationale behind it. In this article, we delve into the details and provide some context.

For years, IndiGo has operated several flights to Istanbul, Turkey, using a code-sharing and interlining partnership with Turkish Airlines. This partnership allowed IndiGo to sell tickets for Turkish Airlines flights between Istanbul and various European destinations, and vice versa, allowing for increased connectivity options for travellers. However, this unexpected development has now cast a shadow over these plans.

The DGCA ordered IndiGo to terminate the partnership, citing unresolved safety concerns and the need for an immediate action. According to the DGCA, the suspension is necessary to ensure the safety of passengers traveling to Istanbul. However, several industry experts and stakeholders have questioned the nature of these alleged safety concerns and the specific reasons underlying the decision.

The abruptness of the decision has led some to speculate that this may be a result of political considerations. Turkey and India have historically enjoyed strong diplomatic relations, but recently, India has been increasingly cautious about foreign involvement in domestic affairs.

The Indian government has not yet commented publicly on the matter beyond the DGCA statement issued to news outlets. Meanwhile, IndiGo has recently attributed the move to a shift in its focus on expanding domestic connectivity.

The airline has stated that it is realigning its business strategy and prioritising the expansion of its domestic network. IndiGo has expressed its desire to create a stronger network within India and provide more options for flyers wanting to travel across the vast nation.

Only time will tell whether this is a legitimate strategic shift or a euphemism for the political reason. Either way, the termination of the partnership with Turkish Airlines will undoubtedly create challenges for travellers seeking onward connections to or from Europe onto IndiGo. At present, it remains to be seen if and how IndiGo will reorganise its European operations to overcome this.

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