The controversy escalated after Turkey and Azerbaijan publicly backed Pakistan in the wake of India's Operation Sindoor in Kashmir. This prompted widespread calls across India to boycott Turkish goods, services, and institutions. Travel platforms such as MakeMyTrip reported a 60% drop in bookings to Turkey and Azerbaijan, accompanied by a 250% surge in cancellations. In Andhra Pradesh, the Tours and Travels Association of Andhra halted promotion of tourism to both countries, citing national sentiment and security concerns.
Amid this backdrop, IndiGo defended its partnership with Turkish Airlines, asserting that the collaboration offers significant benefits to Indian travellers and the national economy. The airline highlighted that the codeshare agreement enhances connectivity and affordability for passengers, particularly from smaller cities, by providing access to over 40 destinations in Europe and the United States. IndiGo also emphasized that the partnership supports job creation and aids its expansion into long-haul markets.
However, the airline's stance has drawn criticism from various quarters. Political parties like Shiv Sena have urged IndiGo to sever ties with Turkish Airlines, arguing that continued collaboration undermines national interests. Social media platforms have seen a surge in calls for boycotting the airline, with hashtags like #BoycottTurkey and #BoycottAzerbaijan trending widely.
The Indian government's decision to revoke the security clearance of Turkish ground handling firm Celebi, citing national security concerns, further intensified the debate. This move reflects growing apprehension about Turkey's influence in India's aviation sector and its potential implications for national security.
Adding to the complexity, reports emerged suggesting that Air India had petitioned the government to terminate IndiGo's leasing agreement with Turkish Airlines. The arrangement, active since 2023, involves Turkish Airlines providing aircraft and crew for IndiGo's routes from India to Istanbul. Air India allegedly argued that the deal disproportionately benefits Turkey by increasing seat capacity and promoting tourism, thereby impacting Indian aviation. However, Air India later denied these claims, stating that it had not requested the government to block the partnership.
IndiGo's codeshare partnership with Turkish Airlines, in place since 2018, allows it to offer numerous international destinations to its customers. The airline maintains that the collaboration is based on mutual business interests and connectivity for passengers, emphasizing the importance of maintaining global partnerships irrespective of geopolitical issues.