3 days 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."
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