On August 01, 2025, IndiGo – KLM codeshare partnership went live. The airline which announced codeshare partnerships to 30 destinations in Europe and UK saw 16 being made operational and open for sale, with more to follow. On the sidelines of IATA’s 81st AGM in Delhi in early June, the airline had announced partnership with Air France, KLM, Delta and Virgin Atlantic.
These three things suggest that Turkish pain is Europe’s gain.
Turkish out, Norse Atlantic In
In February 2023, IndiGo started operations of its first B777 damp leased from Turkish Airlines. The 531 seater aircraft was a major upgrade from the A320/A321 which the airline was deploying until then. In May, the Mumbai – Istanbul route also shifted to the B777, the second such aircraft which it got from Turkish Airlines. Many rules changed in the interim which led to extensions being given to the lease period, until Operation Sindoor saw Turkish arms and support to Pakistan and the criticism against anything Turkey.
While not directly related, IndiGo had already signed a deal with Norse Atlantic for multiple Dreamliners (787-9) on damp lease. The first of the aircraft began operations from Delhi to Bangkok on March 01 and since July operates to Amsterdam and Manchester from Mumbai. The airline has subsequently signed up for more Dreamliners from Norse Atlantic, this will see the airline get a second aircraft in mid-September, which will increase frequency to Amsterdam and Manchester, followed by more aircraft coming in at periodic intervals leading to all six being inducted by March 2026.
The government has subsequently not allowed extension of the leases from Turkish Airlines beyond the end of August, post which flights revert to A320/A321 with a technical stop.
Turkish out, Lufthansa In
IndiGo (and Air India) were criticised for deals with Turkish Technic, the engineering arm of Turkish Airlines for MRO services. Turkish Technic had proudly posted videos of Air India’s B777s at its facility in Turkey. While both continue to utilise the services of Turkish Technic as part of its deal signed early this year, IndiGo has now signed up with Lufthansa Technik for redelivery checks, a deal on similar lines with what it had with Turkish Technic.
IndiGo has a large fleet of A320 family aircraft which are typically leased for six years and need redelivery checks at locations which are certified by the lessor before redelivery. With a large fleet up for replacement over the next decade, this is a lucrative business opportunity for any player. Interestingly, Air France – KLM also offer such services and IndiGo has partnership with Air France – KLM, but it has signed up with Lufthansa for these services, presumably due to availability of hanger space which is more aligned to IndiGo’s redelivery schedule.
Istanbul, Amsterdam and more
IndiGo started its tie up with Turkish Airlines becoming the first. What followed was a stream of one-way codeshares, with Qatar Airways, Air France, KLM, American Airlines, Virgin Atlantic and more. Even as it onboarded JAL, Qantas and Jetstar as its partners, Turkish remained the only carrier to Europe, which is now set to change with the codeshare with KLM. This may not be reactive and part of the long term plan when more widebodies were chalked out for induction and the order for A350s placed, but this definitely diversifies the offerings for IndiGo.
More such partnerships are definitely coming up as informed by the airline which will further offer options to passengers booking codeshare flights via IndiGo.
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