DGCA Allows IndiGo to Operate Five Turkish Wet-Leased Aircraft Till March 31, 2026

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued a conditional approval allowing IndiGo to maintain operations with five Boeing 737-800 narrow-body aircraft wet-leased from Turkey's Corendon Airlines until March 31, 2026. This permission incorporates a definitive sunset clause that explicitly bars any subsequent extensions or renewals for these particular aircraft, signaling the conclusion of regulatory flexibility in this arrangement. The decision reflects a balanced approach to addressing immediate operational needs while enforcing long-term self-reliance in fleet management for domestic carriers.

IndiGo's request for this extension was supported by a formal undertaking submitted to the regulator, citing the impending induction of their advanced A321-XLR aircraft, with deliveries scheduled to commence in February 2026. The DGCA has consistently viewed wet leasing as an interim solution intended to bridge temporary capacity shortfalls, rather than a permanent fixture. By imposing this firm cutoff, the authority aims to encourage airlines to prioritize domestic fleet expansion and resolve underlying issues such as supply chain delays.

These five Boeing 737s form a segment of IndiGo's total portfolio of 15 foreign-registered aircraft operated under wet or damp lease agreements, seven of which are sourced from Turkish operators including Corendon. The regulatory scrutiny aligns with international aviation standards governing foreign aircraft operations, while also accounting for bilateral air service agreements and historical considerations related to approvals for carriers from Turkey. Such factors have occasionally influenced the pace and conditions of lease permissions in the Indian context.

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A senior official from the DGCA verified the approval's terms, highlighting that wet leasing continues to be a recognized mechanism for Indian airlines navigating persistent challenges, including widespread groundings of aircraft due to Pratt & Whitney engine defects and protracted delays in new deliveries from original equipment manufacturers. IndiGo, as the nation's largest carrier by market share, has particularly depended on these leases to sustain network expansion and flight schedules amid fleet constraints affecting a significant portion of its A320neo family aircraft.

The time-bound authorization ensures short-term operational stability for IndiGo during peak travel periods but compels strategic planning for the post-March 2026 landscape, likely accelerating the integration of newly acquired wide-body and long-range variants while phasing out reliance on foreign wet-leased resources. This development underscores broader industry trends toward enhanced domestic manufacturing support and resilient supply chains to bolster aviation growth in India.

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