Why is IndiGo under pressure to end its codeshare with Turkish Airlines?

Domestic carrier IndiGo is facing mounting public and strategic pressure to sever its codeshare agreement with Turkish Airlines in the wake of the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed 26 civilian lives.

The partnership, which enables seamless connectivity to over 30 destinations across Europe and the United States via Istanbul, has long benefited Indian flyers.

However, recent developments, including Turkey’s growing defence collaboration with Pakistan and repeated endorsements of Islamabad’s stance on Kashmir, have reignited questions over the viability and propriety of India’s — and Indian companies’ — continued commercial cooperation.

The backlash intensified following a report in the Economic Times, which highlighted how Turkish Airlines has disproportionately gained from the arrangement, capitalising on IndiGo’s vast domestic network to funnel passengers into its Istanbul hub.

While IndiGo maintains similar codeshare pacts with nine other global carriers, critics argue that the partnership with Turkish Airlines carries troubling strategic implications.

Tensions have further escalated following reports that six Turkish military aircraft landed in Pakistan just days after the Pahalgam attack, reportedly delivering defence-related cargo. Turkey has supplied Pakistan with Bayraktar TB2 and Akinci drones and the two nations are also co-developing the fifth-generation KAAN fighter jet.

National security experts and foreign policy commentators have expressed alarm at India's continued aviation and diplomatic engagement with Ankara. Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan, during a visit to Pakistan in February 2025, reiterated his support for Pakistan’s position on Kashmir, calling for a resolution “in accordance with UN resolutions and the will of the Kashmiri people”.

Rajeev Mantri, founder and managing director of Navam Capital, voiced sharp criticism of the Indian government’s approach. “Three-four years ago, Turkey had made it clear that Baykar offensive drones would be sold to Pakistan and not India. The same drones are now in Bangladesh.

“Yet, we permitted our airlines to partner with Turkish Airlines and even launched Operation Dost to aid Turkey after the earthquake. Meanwhile, our own drone manufacturers face delayed payments and policy hurdles,” he said.

Indeed, it’s not just aviation cooperation at stake. Prime minister Narendra Modi has long cultivated his Turkish counterpart Erdogan — having visited him in Turkey as well as hosting him on his first post-referendum foreign visit in 2023.

However, the public sentiment against ties with Turkey has found resonance among prominent voices online.

Journalist and Editorji founder Vikram Chandra questioned why Indian travellers continue to use Istanbul as a transit point to Europe. “Turkey, alongside China, remains a consistent supporter of Pakistan. Why are there so many direct flights to Istanbul and none to Athens, Turkey’s regional rival?” he asked on X.

Echoing this sentiment, former foreign secretary Kanwal Sibal suggested stronger action: “We can consider suspending our flights to Turkey and Turkish flights to India for the time being.”

While no formal decision has been taken by IndiGo or the Indian government, the rising chorus demanding a review of ties with Turkey is becoming harder to ignore.

The episode underscores the growing tension between commercial aviation partnerships and national security imperatives — a balance India looks increasingly compelled to recalibrate.