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India.com
15 hours ago
- Business
- India.com
Boycott Turkey: IndiGo makes big announcement within hours of receiving ultimatum to end aircraft lease pact with Turkey, places order for....
Lucknow bound IndiGo flight redirected to Jaipur after bomb threat mail 'Boycott Turkey' has been trending across all major social media platforms in India for quite a few weeks. Turkey has rallied behind Pakistan despite its support to cross-border terrorism against India and its aggression after the Indian Armed Forces struck terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan Occupied Jammu and Kashmir in response to the Pahalgam terror attack. Twenty-six people were killed in the heinous terror attack in Pahalgam on April 22. Earlier on May 30, in a stern message to Turkey for supporting Pakistan, which openly harbours terrorists, the government on Friday directed low-cost airline IndiGo to end its aircraft lease agreement with Turkish Airlines within three months. IndiGo, which leased and operates two Boeing 777s from Turkish Airlines, had a permit until May 31 and had sought an extension from the Civil Aviation Ministry for six months. Within 24 hours of receiving an ultimatum to terminate its aircraft lease agreement with Turkish Airlines, IndiGo has made a major announcement. India's largest airline, IndiGo on Sunday announced it has placed orders for another 30 Airbus A350, on top of the 30 orders already in place with the French aircraft manufacturer. Announcing the orders, IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers said that the deliveries of the aircraft will start from 2027.'It was last year that IndiGo signed a deal with Airbus for buying 30 Airbus 350 900s with 30 firm and 70 purchase rights, and today we're confirming the intention to confirm 30 out of those 70 also into a firm order,' the CEO said at a press conference.' 'We're going to sign an MoU for that and we're going to sign that here, right here and now,' the CEO added as he signed the agreement with April 2024, IndiGo had placed an order for 30 A350 aircraft, and kept an option to purchase another 70 such planes in the has a total of over 900 planes on order, scheduled to be delivered in the years to come.
United News of India
16 hours ago
- Business
- United News of India
IndiGo won't sever ties with Turkish Airlines unless the Indian regulatory system orders: CEO
New Delhi, May 30 (UNI) IndiGo on Friday said it will not end its leasing arrangement with Turkish Airlines as of now but will take necessary steps if it receives any such directive under the Indian regulatory system. IndiGo CEO Peter Elbers said this at a press conference here to share information about the company's annual results. IndiGo uses Boeing 777s and 787s leased from Turkish carriers for long-haul international routes. He was responding to a question on severing ties with Turkish companies in several areas in view of Turkey's strong support for Pakistan during Operation Sindoor after the Pahalgam terror attack. IndiGo also has a leasing agreement with Turkish Airlines, is IndiGo also thinking of taking such a step? In response to this question, Elbers said that we have an air service agreement with Turkish Airlines. We work in terms of the regulatory framework. If there is a change in the regulatory framework, we will take necessary steps. The second is our large customer base who have booked on flights operated by 777 aircraft leased from Turkish Airlines. If there is a directive to change the regulatory system, we will necessarily think about possible steps. Wet-leased planes (jets operated by another airline but planes flying under the IndiGo brand) are being used by IndiGo as the airline is venturing into long-haul operations. The upcoming routes from Mumbai to Manchester and Amsterdam starting in July will be operated by Boeing 787-9 aircraft under this arrangement. The leasing agreement with Turkish Airlines is crucial to IndiGo's strategy to rapidly connect its long-haul fleet to international destinations without waiting for it. Currently serving more than 90 domestic and 40 international destinations, the airline aims to reach 50 international cities by the end of the year. The CEO gave a detailed presentation on IndiGo's 18-year journey and said the airline plans to add direct flights to 10 new international destinations in the current financial year, including major cities like London, Athens, Amsterdam and Manchester. In addition to these routes, flights to four Central Asian destinations and South-East Asian cities such as Siem Reap are included. On the domestic front, IndiGo is planning to increase connectivity by connecting four airports in the country: Hindon, Adampur, Navi Mumbai and Jewar. IndiGo, India's largest airline by market share, operates more than 2,300 daily flights with a fleet of more than 430 aircraft. Its 2024-25 expansion is supported by India's growing air travel demand and improving airport infrastructure. Elbers said, "The Indian aviation sector is at a critical juncture. We are excited to lead the next phase of growth, the strategy for which will be balanced with quick decisions, scale and regulatory compliance." UNI XC GNK RN
Hindustan Times
17 hours ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Air India plans to reassign jet maintenance work from Turkish firm amid diplomatic strain
Air India CEO and MD Campbell Wilson said on Sunday the carrier plans to shift the heavy maintenance of its wide-body aircraft from Turkish Technic to other global MRO (Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul) providers, in light of recent geopolitical developments involving Turkiye. The move comes after the Indian government took a firm stance against Turkiye, following its public support for Pakistan and condemnation of India's counter-terrorism strikes in May under 'Operation Sindoor'. On May 15, aviation security regulator BCAS revoked the security clearance of Turkish ground handling firm Celebi Airport Services India Pvt Ltd, citing "interest of national security." Adding to the strain, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on May 30 granted a final three-month extension to IndiGo for operating two Turkish Airlines Boeing 777s under a damp lease, directing the airline to terminate the lease by August 31. Asked about Air India's continued use of Turkish Technic for wide-body aircraft maintenance, Wilson emphasised in a PTI news agency interview the complexity of global aviation logistics. "It does take a while to adjust when the circumstances change around us but we are obviously sensitive to the national sentiment and perhaps the national wishes. So, regardless of which country we are talking about, we would clearly take cognisance of what people like us to do and expect us to do," PTI quoted the Air India CEO as saying. Air India's wide-body Boeing 777 and 787 aircraft currently undergo heavy maintenance at Turkish Technic facilities. However, Wilson said the airline is now actively working to reduce its dependence on Turkiye and redirect maintenance operations to other international locations. 'With this most recent development, we will look to recalibrate where we send our aircraft, reduce the amount that we are sending to Turkiye and send it to other places,' he said. "But that does take some time because aircraft have to be maintained... we are cognisant of recent developments and we will look to adjust our plans," he said. In the short term, Air India will continue to send some aircraft for MRO works overseas, including to facilities in the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and the United States, while gradually scaling up domestic capacity for such services. The airline currently operates a fleet of 191 aircraft, including 64 wide-body planes.
Time of India
17 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
'We'll look at how to address it': IndiGo CEO on complying with DGCA deadline to end Turkish lease
NEW DELHI: 's CEO Pieter Elbers on Sunday addressed the Turkish Airlines agreement termination deadline of August 31 set by the government. "This is the government's decision and we will comply with the government's decision. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now We have the coming month to find a solution for the customers which were booked," he said. Further talking about the airlines' action plan he added, "The extension helps us to have more time to get that addressed, and we'll look at how to address it and how to incorporate it. We still have time for the next few months to do that. " This statement comes just days after the DGCA issued a "one time last and final three-month extension" to IndiGo for operating two wide-body Boeing 777s wet-leased from Turkish Airlines. Instead of the requested extension until November 30, 2025, the aircraft usage is now permitted until August 31. A senior aviation official stated that this final extension was granted to prevent passenger disruption, with IndiGo providing assurance to terminate the damp lease arrangement within this period without seeking further extensions. The official elaborated that IndiGo currently operates two Boeing 777-300 extended range aircraft under damp lease from Turkish Airlines, initially authorised until May 31, 2025. Whilst the airline sought a six-month extension, this was not approved. However, to avoid immediate flight disruptions affecting passengers, a three-month extension was granted as a final concession. The DGCA's ruling follows recent developments in Indo-Turkish relations, particularly Turkey's support for Pakistan during and Pakistan's utilisation of Turkish drones for attacks on Indian cities near the western frontier. This has prompted a strategic reassessment in New Delhi. The Indian authorities had previously withdrawn security clearance for Turkish ground handling firm Celebi, restricting its operations across nine Indian airports. Read more:
Time of India
19 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
IndiGo doubles wide body order by confirming order for 30 more Airbus A350s
NEW DELHI: IndiGo Sunday doubled its wide body aircraft order by confirming the option for 30 wide body Airbus A350s. Now the airline has 60 A350s on firm order and has an option for 40 more. 'We have signed the MoU with Airbus for confirming the option for 30 A350s. Their delivery starts in 2027,' airline CEO Pieter Elbers said at the IATA AGM Sunday. 'Delivery of the initial 30 A350s ordered last years will begin in 2027 and continue till the early part of next decade. Delivery of this next batch (of 30) will start after that and continue well into the second half of the next decade,'Elbers said. Last May, IndiGo had placed a firm order for 30 wide body Airbus A350 aircraft and had an option for 70 more. IndiGo had two years back started operating long hauls on wet leased (hired with operating crew) wide body Boeing 777s of Turkish Airlines, an agreement it has to end within three months now. Next month, it will start operating B787s wet leased from Norse Atlantic to Manchester and Amsterdam. Now as IndiGo has to end the wet lease with Turkish, it is deepening ties with other carriers so that passengers to new destinations like Amsterdam and Manchester can get further connectivity from those places. Accordingly, IndiGo, Delta Air Lines , Air France-KLM and Virgin Atlantic Sunday announced plans to build a partnership connecting India with Europe and North America. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Wunstorf: GEERS sucht 700 Testhörer für Hörgeräte ohne Zuzahlung GEERS Undo 'By linking IndiGo's domestic network with Delta's strength in North America and the transatlantic, the reach of Air France-KLM in Europe and North America, and the UK and transatlantic presence of Virgin Atlantic, the partnership is poised to offer travellers broader access,' IndiGo said in a statement. IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers said: 'IndiGo has embarked on an ambitious journey to become a global airline by 2030. This partnership (with Delta Air Lines, Air France-KLM and Virgin Atlantic) represents a milestone to pursue commercial synergies, operational excellence and innovation…. We are particularly excited to start our long-haul expansion from this summer and connect with our partners' networks to provide greater access to Europe and North America. This strategic partnership enables a combined customer proposition in the form of comprehensive intercontinental connectivity, seamless experience and great loyalty value.' Delta CEO Ed Bastian said: 'This agreement is another example of our commitment to making travel more connected, more inclusive and more accessible. Combining our strengths with those of IndiGo, Air France-KLM, and Virgin Atlantic, will enable us to offer unparalleled connectivity and convenience, ensuring that our customers enjoy the highest standards of service and reliability across the globe. We look forward to restarting Delta's direct service from the US to India in the near future. ' Air France-KLM CEO Benjamin Smith said: 'We are very glad to extend our existing partnership with IndiGo and to do so alongside our partners Delta and Virgin Atlantic. India is a strategic market for Air France-KLM, where we have a strong and historic presence soon to increase. We look forward to welcoming IndiGo customers on our flights and to play an active role in the country's connectivity.' Virgin Atlantic CEO Shai Weiss said: 'In our 25th year of flying to India, we're delighted to build on our Joint Venture with Delta and Air France-KLM, and our successful codeshare with IndiGo, by going further with this partnership. As IndiGo starts long haul operations, we'll connect four of the world's largest economies, enhancing the travel experience for our guests, from greater connectivity and optimised flight times to loyalty benefits. '
