Key Takeaways
• Indian airlines face scrutiny over Turkish partnerships after Turkey allegedly supplied Pakistan with military drones in attacks on India.
• Air India Express and IndiGo signed long-term maintenance contracts with Turkish Technic, involving up to 190 aircraft and advanced repairs.
• India-Turkey trade reached $10.43 billion in 2023-24; political tensions now threaten aviation operations and broader economic links.
Turkey’s close links with India’s aviation sector have come under sharp public scrutiny after recent hostilities between India and Pakistan cast a shadow over these business relationships. As questions grow about Turkey’s alleged support for Pakistan in the conflict, both economic and political interests are coming into conflict, leaving airlines and passengers caught in the middle.
Commercial Ties Reach New Heights Before Crisis
For years, Indian airline companies worked closely with Turkish partners to grow operations, improve service, and keep costs down. In February 2025, Turkish Technic, a globally recognized company that specializes in the maintenance, repair, and operations (known as MRO) of airplanes, entered major new deals with leading Indian airlines. The company signed key contracts with IndiGo, India’s biggest airline, and Air India Express during the MRO Middle East 2025 event.
With IndiGo, Turkish Technic agreed to carry out what are called “redelivery checks” for more than ten Airbus A320neo planes. This work, which takes place at Turkish Technic’s facilities in Istanbul, helps make sure each airplane is in top shape before it changes hands or returns at the end of a lease. The two companies were also in advanced talks about overhauling the landing gear—the part of the plane that lets it land safely—on other aircraft in IndiGo’s A320neo fleet. These are major maintenance jobs, essential for airline safety and reliability.
At the same time, Air India Express agreed to a wide-ranging “component support” deal with Turkish Technic. This means Turkish Technic will help support, repair, overhaul, and modify parts for Air India Express’s Boeing 737-8 and 737-10 fleet. The deal covers a system called “component pooling,” which lets airlines access needed spare parts quickly, and even includes logistics support—help in making sure parts get where they’re needed on time. The agreement could help keep as many as 190 planes flying more reliably and efficiently.
But the commercial links don’t end there. IndiGo has a codeshare agreement with Turkish Airlines. This lets passengers book tickets on flights run by either airline across both companies’ networks. For example, travelers can fly from India to cities like New York, Boston, or Chicago easily, booking all legs of their trip with either airline even if both companies run different parts of the journey.
Geopolitical Tensions Upset Business Confidence
Despite these strong business ties, the recent political crisis between India and Pakistan, alongside reports about Turkish military involvement, has thrown these partnerships into doubt.
According to several reports, Turkey supplied Pakistan with over 350 military drones—unmanned aerial vehicles used in attacks against India. Investigations of downed drones found Turkish-made Asisguard Songar models had been used. In addition, some news outlets claimed that Turkey even sent operatives to help coordinate attacks with these drones, raising the stakes for bilateral relations.
Unsurprisingly, this set off a surge of anger and protest within India. Many Indians now see Turkey as openly helping an adversary in a sensitive security situation. Public figures and political leaders are urging companies to break ties with Turkish firms.
One high-profile example: Shiv Sena leader Murji Patel led a delegation to Mumbai’s main international airport, demanding that the airport cut ties with Çelebi NAS Airport Services. This Turkish company is responsible for about 70% of all ground handling operations at the busy Mumbai hub, including passenger services, baggage handling, and aircraft support. Protesters see Çelebi’s active role as another sign that Indian business interests are too closely tied to Turkey, which some now view with suspicion.
Airlines Face Pressure and Criticism
The backlash is not just limited to airport services. Both IndiGo and Air India Express are now under the public microscope for their close relationships with Turkish partners.
IndiGo has faced criticism for several reasons:
– Its codeshare deal with Turkish Airlines means IndiGo is strongly tied to Turkish business interests.
– IndiGo also worked with Corendon Airlines, a Turkey-based company, which some critics see as another example of questionable partnerships.
– The fresh MRO agreements with Turkish Technic signal a long-term link, just as political concerns are peaking.
Meanwhile, Air India Express is also under fire for its component maintenance partnership with Turkish Technic, signed in February. Though these agreements help keep fares affordable and planes in the air, public debate now questions if commercial advantages should outweigh national security concerns.
Analysis from VisaVerge.com suggests that the situation puts these airlines in a tight spot: if they pull away from Turkish partners, they risk losing access to competitive global services and facing logistical headaches. But if they keep business as usual, they face growing consumer boycott threats and continued negative attention.
Economic Realities Tie the Two Countries Together
Stepping back, it’s clear that economic ties between India and Turkey have grown stronger over the years, making a sudden break less straightforward than it might first seem.
- In the fiscal year 2023-24, trade between India and Turkey reached $10.43 billion. India exported $6.65 billion worth of goods to Turkey and imported $3.78 billion in return.
- During April 2024 to February 2025, India exported $5.2 billion worth of goods to Turkey, making up about 1.5% of India’s total exports.
- Indian and Turkish companies also invest in each other’s economies. From April 2000 to December 2023, Turkish companies sent $227.5 million in foreign direct investment (FDI) to India. At the same time, Indian companies invested about $200 million in Turkey’s economy from August 2000 to March 2024.
These numbers highlight just how much is at stake if the relationship sours. Beyond aviation, many sectors—from manufacturing to technology—could be affected if diplomatic ties turn even colder.
The Larger Strategic Picture
Many Indian policy experts and political thinkers question why India continues to pursue closer business links with Turkey even as Turkish leaders seem to lean towards supporting Pakistan. The issue is not just economic—it’s about national pride and safety.
Sushant Sareen, Senior Fellow at the Observer Research Foundation, summed up the frustration in a widely quoted statement: “India is not a serious country. We feed snakes and then wonder why they bite us… We reward our enemies and treat our friends shabbily. We delude ourselves that countries like Turkey will give up their hostility.”
Such comments reflect a growing view among some Indian thinkers that the country has been too tolerant of Turkish actions, failing to respond forcefully enough when national interests are threatened.
As a result, India has started to shift its foreign policy approach. It is now building stronger ties with countries that share its concerns about Turkey. For example:
– India is growing closer to Greece, which has its own rivalry with Turkey in the eastern Mediterranean.
– India has become a major arms supplier to Armenia, a country in conflict with Azerbaijan—another state closely backed by Turkey.
These steps show how military and business strategies can quickly become intertwined when complex alliances are in play.
What Happens Next for Indian Airlines?
The future for Indian carriers like IndiGo and Air India Express is anything but clear. If political tensions remain unresolved, continued partnerships with Turkish Technic and Turkish Airlines might attract even more criticism and possibly even official scrutiny. On the other hand, breaking these links would be costly and hard to manage in the complex, highly regulated global aviation industry.
Some possible outcomes:
– Airlines might quietly look for other partners to do maintenance and ground handling, increasing business with companies in Europe, North America, or even within India.
– Airport authorities and regulators might put formal limits on foreign companies like Çelebi, though this could slow down airport operations and reduce service quality.
– Passengers might vote with their wallets, choosing airlines or services without Turkish ties if public distrust grows.
Importantly, these questions don’t just affect airlines and businesses. They also impact thousands of workers at airports, maintenance facilities, and aircraft manufacturing plants. If airlines shift partners or change suppliers, jobs and incomes could be at risk.
Wider Policy Questions
The story of Turkish Technic’s ventures in India and the backlash against IndiGo and Air India Express raises larger questions about how countries handle the intersection of trade, technology, and security.
- Should governments step in to control which foreign companies can work with critical sectors such as aviation?
- How should regulators decide which partnerships support national interests and which might pose risks?
- Can India’s airlines afford to quickly switch partners if diplomatic ties break down, without hurting service or safety?
For regular travelers, these debates can feel far removed from the reality of booking flights and getting to destinations on time. But disruptions in maintenance or support contracts can cause flight delays, lost luggage, and increased prices if not handled carefully.
Looking Ahead: Finding a Path in Uncertain Times
For now, the agreements between Turkish Technic and both IndiGo and Air India Express remain in force, but the pressure is building for these companies to consider other options. The airlines need to balance keeping planes flying safely, controlling costs, and addressing the serious concerns of both the public and government.
Trade figures show that a full break in relations is unlikely in the short term, given how much both countries stand to lose. Yet, as analysis from VisaVerge.com points out, both airline executives and policy makers are now facing choices that could change the shape of India’s aviation sector for years to come.
For those who follow aviation or work in the industry, it’s a story with big implications. It’s a test of how global businesses respond when world events make long-standing partnerships seem risky. And it reminds us that in the world of international travel and trade, every deal can become a flashpoint when political winds shift.
Those seeking more information about international aviation rules and foreign partnership guidelines can visit India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation for the latest official updates and policies.
As the situation continues to develop, passengers, airline staff, and the wider public will be watching closely. The coming months will show whether airlines like IndiGo and Air India Express keep relying on Turkish Technic, or if they will chart a new course to address the complex mix of business needs and national priorities. The outcome will shape not only the way Indians fly, but also how India does business with partners in a world that’s changing fast.
Learn Today
MRO (Maintenance, Repair, Operations) → Services ensuring airplanes are fit for use, involving checks, repairs, and upgrades typically in specialized facilities.
Codeshare Agreement → A partnership allowing airlines to sell seats on each other’s flights, expanding route networks for passengers.
Component Pooling → A system where airlines share access to spare airplane parts to speed up repairs and improve efficiency.
Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) → Investment from one country’s firms into business interests or assets of another country, enhancing economic ties.
Asisguard Songar → A Turkish-made military drone model, reportedly used by Pakistan against India, heightening geopolitical tensions.
This Article in a Nutshell
Indian airlines’ deep ties with Turkish firms are under fire after reports of Turkish support for Pakistan in military conflicts. Maintenance, logistics, and codeshare deals between IndiGo, Air India Express, and Turkish Technic face increasing scrutiny. Political tensions risk disrupting services, threatening jobs, passenger choices, and billions in trade between India and Turkey.
— By VisaVerge.com
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