Air India May End MRO Partnership with Turkish Technic Amid Public Concerns

Air India May End MRO Partnership with Turkish Technic Amid Public Concerns

Air India’s Decision to Terminate Collaboration with Turkish Technic

Air India is preparing to end its maintenance partnership with Turkish Technic, the prominent Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) provider responsible for servicing the airline’s Boeing 777 fleet. This decision comes amid growing public scrutiny and national security concerns, particularly in response to Turkey’s outspoken support for Pakistan during a recent conflict involving India. Campbell Wilson, Air India’s CEO, emphasized that the move is aligned with national interests and reflects public sentiment. The airline intends to identify alternative MRO providers to maintain its wide-body aircraft, marking a significant departure from its previous reliance on Turkish aviation services.

National Security Concerns and Government Measures Affecting Turkish Firms

Air India’s move is part of a broader reassessment by Indian authorities concerning Turkish companies operating in critical sectors. Recently, the Ministry of Home Affairs revoked the security clearance of Celebi, a Turkey-based ground handling firm, effectively barring it from operations at Indian airports due to national security considerations. This heightened scrutiny reflects India’s increasing vigilance over foreign involvement in sensitive infrastructure and services. Although the country currently lacks sufficient domestic MRO capacity for wide-body aircraft, the government is actively promoting the development of local capabilities to reduce dependence on foreign providers. Air India’s decision exemplifies this strategic realignment within the civil aviation sector.

DGCA Grants Final Extension to Indigo’s Turkish Damp Lease

In a related development, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has approved a final three-month extension for Indigo’s “damp lease” agreement with Turkish Airlines. Indigo had initially requested a six-month extension to continue operating two Boeing 777-300ER aircraft leased from the Turkish carrier. The DGCA, however, granted a shorter extension to minimize passenger disruption. The lease will now expire on August 31, 2025, after which Indigo will permanently terminate its arrangement with Turkish Airlines. This decision further underscores the ongoing strategic withdrawal from Turkish aviation partnerships by major Indian carriers.

Strategic Reassessment of Turkish Aviation Partnerships

The decisions by Air India and Indigo to phase out their Turkish aviation collaborations reflect a wider national trend of reevaluating strategic partnerships in sectors sensitive to national security and public opinion. Indian civil aviation policies and operational choices are increasingly influenced by geopolitical considerations and domestic sentiment. Moving forward, Indian airlines are expected to reduce reliance on foreign partners from politically sensitive countries and to explore domestic or neutral third-country service providers to support their operations.