NEW DELHI, May 30: The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Friday said that it granted a three-month extension to budget carrier IndiGo to operate two B777-300ER aircraft on a damp lease from Turkish Airlines.

The aviation regulator said the decision was taken to avoid passenger inconvenience on the condition that this will be the last extension and the IndiGo will end the lease arrangement with Turkish Airlines within this duration.

“...Indigo has been granted a one-time last and final extension of three months upto 31.08.2025 for these damp-leased aircraft, based on the undertaking from the airline that, they will terminate the damp lease with Turkish Airline within this extension period, and shall not seek any further extension for these operations,” DGCA said.

The regulator said the airline had sought an extension of six months.

There have been calls to revisit business ties with Turkey after Ankara supported Pakistan during the military confrontation with India after New Delhi carried out retaliatory strikes in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

Friday’s decision comes weeks after the government revoked the security clearance of Turkish ground handling service firm Celebi, citing national security.

In its order, DGCA said, “Indigo is currently operating two B777-300ER aircraft under damp lease from Turkish Airline, which was permitted upto 31.05.2025. Indigo requested for a further extension of the same for another six months, which was not agreed to”.

IndiGo operates direct flights to Istanbul using the two wide-bodied aircraft leased from Turkish Airlines, and offers codeshare connections to Europe and the US through its partnership with the Turkish carrier.

IndiGo chief executive officer Pieter Elbers stressed that the flights between India and Türkiye were governed by the bilateral air service agreement. “We are compliant today and we will continue to comply with any government regulations on those lines,” Elbers said on Friday morning, ahead of an annual global summit of airline industry leaders to be held in India beginning June 1.

This is the first time in 42 years that the annual summit of the International Air Transport Association, the global trade association representing airlines, is being held in the country.

Elbers added that IndiGo would launch direct flights to eight new international destinations during this financial year including four to Central Asia. The airline was recently forced to temporarily shut its operations to Tashkent and Almaty due to constraints in the aircraft’s operational range after Pakistani airspace was shut for Indian airlines and Indian registered aircraft in April following tensions between the two countries.

To be sure, the airline is yet to announce the originating city (in India) for the eight new international destinations.

Asked how the airline plans operations to Central Asia given the extra flying time and cost bear by the airline, due to the airspace restriction, Elbers said that the airline was in the process of deciding the start point from India. He said, “..the geographic size of India allows us to go back to the map we had earlier, and you put India at the center, for North, East, South, West. we’re not yet announcing for what city exactly…it’s difficult to put into long-term planning whether it (the NOTAM restricting Indian airlines to use Pakistani airspace) will be there or not. So therefore, I think every airline should do some scenario planning whether it will be there or not there. And Indigo is no exception to that. So we do scenario planning, and clearly, circumflying would have an impact on the network as it has today, on the small part of the network. But it’s difficult to predict exactly at what point in time that situation will change. “

The airline’s long-haul debut will begin in July with Mumbai-Manchester and Mumbai-Amsterdam routes using leased Boeing 787-9 aircraft. The eight other destinations will also include London, Athens, Copenhagen and Siem Reap. With this, the airline will be connected to 50 international destinations by the end of the financial year.

IndiGo, which is the host airline for the IATA event, has a fleet of over 430 planes and operates 2,300 daily flights across 90 domestic and 40 international destinations.

Elbers said the airline anticipates surpassing a fleet size of 600 aircraft by 2030 with one new aircraft joining the fleet every week throughout FY26.

IndiGo To Be First Airline To Take Off From Navi Mumbai Airport

MUMBAI, May 29: IndiGo is set to be the first airline to take off from the upcoming Navi Mumbai International Airport with 18 daily departures to over 15 cities on the first day of the Adani Group-owned airport’s commercial operations.

These 18 daily departures corresponds to 36 air traffic movements on the opening day. The airline plans to scale up its operations at NMIA significantly to 79 daily departures or 158 air traffic movements, including 14 international departures by November this year, according to a joint statement issued by the companies on Wednesday.

Each arrival and each departure is counted as one air traffic movement. This means a flight that both takes off and lands at an airport will be counted as two movements.

By March 2026, the airline said that its operations will be scaled up to over 100 daily departures and further grow to 140 daily departures by November next year, including 30 international.

"Our alliance signals towards achievement of complete operational readiness on both sides to take next steps," said Pieter Elbers, chief executive officer, IndiGo. "This expansion underscores our dedication to catering to the evolving needs of our aspirational travellers."

This partnership will fuel aviation growth in the country, making it a key driver for India to become the third-largest aviation economy by 2030, as per the joint statement.

NMIA is being developed by Navi Mumbai International Airport Ltd., a joint venture between Adani Airport Holdings Ltd., which holds a 74% stake, and CIDCO, the Maharashtra government's development body, owning the remaining 26%. AAHL also owns Mumbai International Airport Ltd, which operates the existing Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai.

CSMIA is among the busiest airports globally, handling over 45 million passengers annually, and faces significant congestion with limited scope for expansion due to surrounding urban development. The launch of NMIA is expected to ease congestion at the heavily burdened CSMIA by creating a dual-airport system. It promises to enhance passenger experience and drive economic growth across the Mumbai region.

“We are delighted to announce IndiGo as the first airline partner to commence operations from NMIA,” Arun Bansal, chief executive officer of Adani Airport Holdings said, commenting on the development.

"This partnership marks a major step towards confirming NMIA’s position as a transfer hub for domestic and international travellers. Together, we are poised to transform travel experience for millions of passengers, providing them both convenience and enhanced travel options. Our collaboration is set to strengthen NMIA’s role as an aviation gateway for the region and for travellers nationally and internationally."

NMIA's strategic location is aimed at meeting the rising air traffic demands of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region and the wider Western India. Spanning over 2,866 acres, NMIA is designed to handle 90 million passengers per annum and 3.2 million metric tonnes of cargo annually, once complete. In its initial phase, NMIA is set to handle 20 million passengers annually and 0.5 million metric tonnes of cargo per annum.

Turkish Firm Operating At Indian Airports Loses Security Clearance

NEW DELHI, May 15: The Turkish firm that handles the lion's share of services at nine major airports in India, has lost its security clearance following Turkey's support of Pakistan over Operation Sindoor.

This evening, an order from the Civil Aviation Ministry said the security clearance for Celebi Ground Handling India Private Limited "is hereby revoked with immediate effect in the interest of national security".

The Delhi airport has also severed ties with Çelebi, which under a separate entity of Celebi Aviation -- Celebi Delhi Cargo Terminal Management India -- oversees cargo services at Delhi International Airport.

This is India's first overt move against a Turkish firm, though for the last few years, the government has ramped up its engagement with the traditional opponents and antagonists of Turkey -- Greece, Armenia, Cyprus and Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates in the Arab bloc.

In its response, Celebi Aviation said it is a "global company with a legacy of over 65 years in aviation services, delivering ground handling and cargo operations across three continents and six countries".

In a communique, the company added, "As clearly illustrated, Celebi's business in India is truly an Indian enterprise, led and managed by Indian professionals, deeply invested in the country, and committed to its growth. We are not a Turkish organisation by any standard and adhere fully to globally accepted practices of corporate governance, transparency, and neutrality, with no political affiliations or links to any foreign government or individuals".

Junior Civil Aviation minister Murlidhar Mohol said, "Celebi Airport Services India Pvt Ltd is a Turkey-based company that gives ground services at many airports in the country. Turkey had openly supported Pakistan. In view of the current situation, this has become an issue of national security. Keeping security in mind, Celebi has been banned in the country".

Along with Azerbaijan, Turkey shares close links with Pakistan through trade, banking and tourism. The military of all three nations are dependent on each other.

This time, Turkey has not only extended verbal support to Pakistan after India's precision attacks on terror bases on Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir, it has been found that a majority of the drones fired at India on the night of May 8 included the Turkey-made Asisguard SONGAR and the Bayraktar TB2, an unmanned combat aerial vehicle.

A Turkish warship had reached Karachi before Operation Sindoor started and shortly after, a Turkish Air Force C-130 had landed in the city.

Turkey is now facing massive backlash over its support that includes cutting down on trade and tourism. Indian tourists cancelling trips to the country as a "Boycott Turkey" - that includes Turkish products - is sweeping the social media.

Over the last few days, several prominent universities in India - including Delhi's Jawaharlal Nehru University -- have cancelled tie-ups and programmes with Turkey's educational institutions.

Trade associations and tour operators have called for a boycott of Turkey. Many travel websites are cancelling/not accepting Turkey itineraries - a move that is expected to hit the nation that earns 12 per cent of its revenue through tourism.

The Confederation of All India Traders or CAIT is contemplating an end to all trade agreements with Turkey. The CAIT will meet in New Delhi tomorrow to discuss complete trade boycott of Turkey and Azerbaijan. The organization is already running a similar campaign against China.

Celebi Aviation has two separate entities - Celebi Airport Services India to manage ground handling operations and Celebi Delhi Cargo Terminal Management India to oversee cargo services at Delhi International Airport.

The first carries out several high-security tasks critical to the safe and efficient functioning of airport operations.

These include ramp services, which involve directing aircraft on the ground; load control and flight operations to ensure proper aircraft balance; and bridge operations, which manage the passenger boarding bridges connected to aircraft. The company also handles cargo and postal services, and warehouse management.

Delhi Airport To Shut Runway 28/10 For 90 Days From June 15 For Major Upgrade

NEW DELHI, May 14: Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) will temporarily close Runway 28/10 for 90 days starting June 15, 2025, to upgrade its Instrument Landing System (ILS) to CAT III-B standards. This enhancement will enable aircraft to land safely during low-visibility conditions, particularly addressing challenges posed by Delhi's dense winter fog.

The decision follows a previous attempt in April that was curtailed due to unforeseen challenges, including unseasonal easterly winds that reduced the airport's operational capacity, leading to over 400 flight delays. To mitigate such issues during the upcoming closure, the airport plans to utilise its other runways, taking advantage of the westerly winds expected during this period.

IGIA, India's busiest airport, handles approximately 1,300 flight movements daily and operates four runways: RW 09/27, RW 11R/29L, RW 11L/29R, and RW 10/28. Currently, Terminal 2 (T2) is closed for maintenance, with operations shifted to Terminals 1 (T1) and 3 (T3).

Generally, a runway is numbered at both ends, indicating the directions for landing and departure of planes. Sometimes, they are interchangeably used, like RW 28/10 is also mentioned as RW 10/28.

Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL), which operates the airport, had already said on Monday (May 5th) that as per the approved plan, runway RW 28/10 will be closed again from mid-June to mid-September 2025, following the peak tourist season, when wind direction is also expected to shift.

Russia Downed Malaysian Airline MH17 In Ukraine, Rules UN Aviation Body

OTTAWA, May 13: The UN aviation council on Monday ruled that Russia was responsible for the downing of a Malaysian airliner over Ukraine in 2014 with the deaths of 298 passengers and crew, the Dutch government said.

In a statement, it said the Council of the International Civil Aviation Organization would in the coming weeks consider what form of reparation was in order.

Malaysian Airlines Flight MH17 departed from Amsterdam for Kuala Lumpur on July 17, 2014, and was shot down over eastern Ukraine as fighting raged between pro-Russian separatists and Ukrainian forces.

In November 2022, Dutch judges convicted two Russian men and a Ukrainian man in absentia of murder for their role in the attack. Moscow called the ruling "scandalous" and said it would not extradite its citizens.

The ICAO, which is based in Montreal, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The case was launched in 2022 by Australia and the Netherlands.

"The decision is an important step towards establishing the truth and achieving justice and accountability for all victims of Flight MH17, and their families and loved ones," Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp said in a statement.

"This decision also sends a clear message to the international community: states cannot violate international law with impunity."

The Netherlands and Australia want the ICAO Council to order Russia to enter into negotiations over reparations, he added.

ICAO lacks regulatory power but holds moral suasion and sets global aviation standards overwhelmingly adopted by its 193-member states.

Air India Suspends Tel Aviv Flights Till May 25

NEW DELHI, May 9: Air India on Friday announced extending the suspension of its flights to and from Tel Aviv till May 25.

Following a missile attack near the Tel Aviv airport on May 4, the airline had suspended its services till May 6 and later the same was extended till May 8.

Air India, the only Indian carrier to operate direct services to Tel Aviv, normally has five weekly flights to the Israeli city from Delhi.

"Our flights to and from Tel Aviv will remain suspended till 25th May 2025. Customers holding valid tickets for travel till 25th May 2025 will be offered a one-time waiver on rescheduling charges or a full refund for cancellations," the carrier said in a post on X on Friday.

On May 4, Air India had to divert its Delhi-Tel Aviv flight to Abu Dhabi due to the missile attack near the Tel Aviv airport.

Centre extends closure of 24 airports till May 15 amid India-Pakistan tensions

NEW DELHI, May 9: The Union government has extended the closure of 24 airports across the country till 5:29 am on May 15, as tensions escalate between New Delhi and Islamabad following Operation Sindoor and a foiled drone attack by Pakistan's military.

On Thursday, the Civil Aviation Ministry had announced that 24 airports would be closed for civil flight operations till May 10.

Airports will be closed till May 15 in cities such as Chandigarh, Srinagar, Amritsar, Ludhiana, Bhuntar, Kishangarh, Patiala, Shimla, Jaisalmer, Pathankot, Jammu, Bikaner, Leh, Porbander and others.

Several airlines have also issued travel advisories for passengers and asked for them to remain updated on airport closures and enhanced security protocols.

In a post on X, IndiGo said that all flights to and from Srinagar, Jammu, Amritsar, Leh, Chandigarh, Dharamsala, Bikaner, Rajkot, Jodhpur and Kishangarh, would remain cancelled until 5:30 am on May 15 due to temporary airport closures.

At Delhi's IGI airport, authorities stated that flight operations had been affected due to tightened security protocol.

A total of 66 domestic departures and 63 arrivals, as well as 5 international departures and 4 arrivals, were cancelled between 5 am and 2 pm on Friday.

"Delhi airport operations remain normal. However, due to evolving airspace conditions and heightened security measures, some flight schedules and security processing timings may be impacted,' DIAL said in a post on X.

Security measures at airports have increased after the terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam that led to the death of 26 civilians on April 22. After the attack, India accused Pakistan of involvement in cross-border terrorism, which the country denied.

25 Indian airports shut till May 9 after strikes on Pak terror camps

NEW DELHI, May 7: Indian airlines have announced the cancellation of flights to 25 airports, which include Srinagar, Jammu, Leh, Amritsar, Chandigarh, Shimla, Kullu, Dharamshala, Bikaner, Jodhpur, Bhuj, Kishangarh, Gwalior, Kandla, Adampur, Hindon, Bareilly and Jamnagar.

These include airports which are operated by the Indian Air Force and have a civil enclave, or are closer to the border areas or have air routes which could be in areas which are corridors for military aircraft movement.

This ensures that if and when there is a need to scramble military assets, civilians and civilian airliners are out of harm and there is full focus on the task at hand. Not having civilian movements also ensures that the active movements are not tracked by human intelligence advertently or inadvertently by passengers flying out of these airports. While there remains a rule to not photograph at defence airports, these are not enforced strictly and it matters a lot in the current times.

The closure of airfields is currently announced until 2359 hours Universal time on May 9, 2025. This means the airfields will be closed until 0529 hours of May 10, 2025, Indian Standard Time.

Data obtained from Cirium, an aviation analytics company, exclusively for this article, shows that a little over 500 departures would be impacted from these airports between this morning and when the NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) ends. A similar number of arrivals into these airports will also be impacted. The total impact is less than 8 per cent of total domestic flights in India.

Houthi Missile Attack: Air India Suspends Flights to Tel Aviv

NEW DELHI, May 5: Air India has announced the immediate suspension of its flight services to Tel Aviv for two days following a missile attack by Houthi rebels on the Ben Gurion International Airport in Israel. The airline stated that the decision was taken with the safety of its passengers and crew in mind.

According to the airline, flight AI139, which had departed from Delhi for Tel Aviv at the time of the attack, was rerouted to Abu Dhabi. The aircraft landed safely in Abu Dhabi and is expected to return to Delhi. In light of the situation, Air India confirmed in a statement that all flights to and from Tel Aviv would be suspended until May 6.

The airline further stated that its staff is prepared to assist affected passengers and that alternate arrangements are being made. Passengers holding tickets valid between May 4 and May 6 will be allowed to reschedule their travel dates or cancel their tickets for a full refund without any additional charges. “At Air India, the safety of our passengers and crew remains our utmost priority,” the statement reiterated.

Reports indicate that a missile fired from Yemen struck near the main terminal of Ben Gurion Airport, injuring four individuals. Although airport operations were briefly halted due to the attack, officials stated that services were later restored.

Meanwhile, Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree warned that Ben Gurion Airport is no longer safe for air travel. In response, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz reacted strongly, reportedly warning that Israel would retaliate with sevenfold strength against those who attack it. The Houthi rebels, backed by Iran, claimed responsibility for the missile and drone attacks on Israel, stating they were carried out in solidarity with the Palestinians.

Air India's '$600 Million In Losses Due To Pak Airspace Ban' Warning: Report

NEW DELHI, May 2: Air India may pay up to $600 million in extra costs after Pakistan shuts its airspace to Indian airlines, news agency Reuters said Thursday evening citing a company letter it had accessed.

The letter said the costs - which could add up over the next year, assuming Pak airspace remains shut to it - includes increased fuel costs for longer flight times by re-routed planes.

The longer flight times, the airline warned, will also impact passengers.

As a result, Air India expects a loss of over $591 million for each year the ban lasts.

The ban - ordered in response to diplomatic restrictions by India after the Pahalgam attack, which Delhi has said was supported by the Pak deep state - is expected to stay till May 23.

It does not, however, affect international airlines.

Air India has, therefore, asked the government for proportionate subsidies, Reuters said, quoting the letter to the Aviation Ministry. "Subsidy for affected international flights is a good, verifiable and fair option ... the subsidy can be removed when the situation improves..."

"Impact on AI is maximum due to airspace closure, additional fuel burn, crew."

Neither Air India nor the Aviation Ministry has commented so far.

It isn't just Air India that is bracing for increased costs, something that will hurt the Tata Group-owned airline that reported a net loss of $520 million in FY2023/24 alone.

IndiGo has said some of its flights have also been impacted; for example, its New Delhi-Baku (in Azerbaijan) flight on Thursday took five hours and 43 minutes, 38 minutes longer than usual.

The impact, though, is likely to be greater on Air India since it operates the greater number of international flights that normally fly over Pakistan to reach its destination. Delhi-Middle East flights, for example, will now be forced to fly at least an hour extra, requiring more fuel.

Between AI and its budget service, Air India Express, and IndiGo, an estimated 1,200 flights left from New Delhi to destinations in Europe, the Middle East, and North America in April.

The government, though, is understood to be aware of the impact of the attack and the consequent political and military fallout, on businesses in Kashmir and the country.

It is reported it is considering options to offset the impact on airlines, assistance that could include allowing extra pilots on longer flights to the US and Canada, tax breaks and, in an unusual move, working with China (a Pak ally) for overflight clearances.

Shashi Tharoor's Swipe At 'Dysfunctional' Delhi Airport

NEW DELHI, May 2: Congress MP Shashi Tharoor Thursday received Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his parliamentary constituency "on time" despite facing delays at the Delhi airport, terming it "dysfunctional". The Prime Minister arrived in Kerala to officially commission the Vizhinjam port.

Taking to X, Tharoor wrote, "Despite delays at the dysfunctional Delhi airport, managed to land in Thiruvananthapuram in time to receive Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his arrival in my constituency."

A day before yesterday, the Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL) said flights may be delayed due to shifting wind patterns in the vicinity of the airport. However, the advisory was issued only for April 29 and not for Thursday. The Delhi airport is yet to respond to Mr Tharoor's post on X.

The Indira Gandhi International Airport has been facing flight delays due to easterly winds and the closure of one runway for upgradation works.