Debate With Arnab: Have We Forgotten Ops Sindoor By Letting In Turkish Planes & Crew?

In a big development, IndiGo has secured a third extension from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to lease two Boeing 777-300ER aircraft along with the crew from Turkish Airlines after previously facing a directive to end the partnership.

Earlier on August 29, IndiGo got a 6-month extension to operate 2 Turkish Airlines planes, months after the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) in May provided a one-time final extension of three months till August 31 to IndiGo for operating the Turkish Airlines aircraft. It had also asked the carrier not to seek any further extension.

The carrier was asked not to seek any further extension as a result of Turkiye backing Pakistan and condemning India's strikes on terror camps in the neighbouring country in May during Operation Sindoor. However, the third extension raises eyebrows when the directive was given to grant extension to lease aircraft and crew.

With this directive, they've been allowed to use two Boeing 777-300ER aircraft and also crew from Turkish Airlines. Furthermore, even SpiceJet has been operating Turkish planes in India where SpiceJet has been going ahead with a wet lease agreement with Corentin Airline.

The extension has sparked concerns in the backdrop of Turkey's steadfast support to Pakistan during Operation Sindoor, which did not go too well with the Indians. The ties totally changed when Pakistan fired Turkey-made drones in the border areas of India during Operation Sindoor and President Erdogan openly extended support to Pakistan.