IndiGo CEO Confirms Istanbul Flights Are Legal Amid Turkish Lease Uncertainty
IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers has responded to growing scrutiny over the airline’s partnership with Turkish Airlines, assuring that flights between India and Turkey are being operated in full accordance with Indian aviation laws. His statement comes at a time when the future of the leasing deal with Turkish Airlines is under review by the Indian government, with the current agreement set to expire on May 31, 2025.
Speaking at a press conference after InterGlobe Aviation, IndiGo’s parent company, released its financial results for Q4 FY 2024-25, Elbers stated that operations on the India-Turkey route are “entirely compliant with regulatory norms” and follow the bilateral air service agreement between the two countries.
“I have no comments on what other airlines may be lobbying for. All I can confirm is that our services to Istanbul are approved, regulated, and fully transparent,” said Elbers, likely referring to reports suggesting Air India requested the government to reconsider IndiGo’s tie-up with Turkish Airlines.
Since 2023, IndiGo has been operating two aircraft leased from Turkish Airlines, primarily for flights connecting Delhi and Mumbai with Istanbul. The lease includes not only the planes but also Turkish pilots and some cabin crew, as part of a broader collaboration.
However, worsening diplomatic relations between India and Turkey have placed the arrangement under review. Earlier, the Indian government revoked security clearance for Turkish ground handler Celebi, leading to Indian firms stepping in at major airports like Delhi and Mumbai. Additionally, public calls to boycott Turkish Airlines have gained momentum.
Despite these political pressures, Elbers remained firm that IndiGo has done everything by the book. He emphasized that the airline continues to operate under government-approved conditions and sees no reason for concern regarding regulatory compliance.
Meanwhile, IndiGo’s financial performance has remained robust. For the January-March quarter of FY25, the airline reported a net profit of ₹3,067.5 crore — more than double its profit of ₹1,894.8 crore in the same quarter last year. The company also saw a 24% rise in revenue from operations, totaling ₹22,151.9 crore for the quarter.
Although this revenue figure was slightly below analysts’ estimates, it still reflects the airline’s strong position in India’s booming domestic travel market. Profit after tax for the quarter grew 25% over the previous quarter, reaching ₹2,449 crore.
For the full financial year FY25, IndiGo’s revenue rose 17% to ₹80,803 crore from ₹68,333 crore in FY24. However, the net profit for the year fell 11% to ₹7,258 crore, mainly due to increased operating costs, which surged by 17%.
Despite this dip in annual profit, Elbers said the airline remains focused on long-term growth, adding more domestic routes and international partnerships while maintaining regulatory compliance and financial discipline.
