Airline major IndiGo has made a contingency plan to reduce the potential impact on operations in the event that the damp-leased Boeing 777 aircraft are returned to the lessor, Turkish Airlines, industry sources told businessline.
The possibility of returning these aircraft has grown after a massive public outcry called for cancellation of India’s civil aviation links with Turkey.
The public outcry and the renewal of the Boeing 777’s lease have coincided.
At present, IndiGo has damp-leased two Boeing 777s with a seating capacity of over 500. These aircraft are being operated on the Delhi-Istanbul and Mumbai-Istanbul routes.
The plan, according to sources, calls for replacing the damp-leased Boeing 777 aircraft with either Airbus A321neo or the 787-9 Dreamliners on its India-Turkey routes.
Damp lease
A damp lease is a specific type of aircraft leasing agreement which generally means the aircraft comes with the cockpit crew (pilots) and is maintained and insured by the lessor, but the airline renting the aircraft will put its own cabin crew on board.
“The contingency plans take into account the payload factor for extended routes. As of now, the A321neo is seen as the likely replacement,” sources told businessline. “The situation is dynamic. We can expect changes to the plan.”
Speaking to businessline, industry insiders said that a contingency plan was expected on the part of IndiGo, especially as the public outcry over Turkey has grown.
On its part, IndiGo defended the codeshare agreement with Turkish Airlines. The airline cited benefits accruing for travellers as well as India’s economy.
As per IndiGo, the arrangement with Turkish Airlines has increased seat availability for Indian passengers at reasonable airfares, particularly during a time when long-haul international airfares have risen due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Prior to the agreement, IndiGo pointed out that Turkish Airlines was the sole carrier on the India-Turkey route, and that the codeshare has helped shift the balance in favour of Indian travellers and the economy.
The codeshare comes under the framework of the Air Services Agreement (ASA) between India and Turkey, which allows for 56 flights per week between the two countries.
Besides, the partnership, IndiGo said, has fuelled aviation and economic growth and created jobs as well as opportunities in India.
Codeshare pact
Furthermore, the airline said the codeshare agreement has made international travel more accessible and affordable, allowing passengers to benefit from cost-effective two-stop flights from smaller Indian cities to Europe and the US.
Currently, IndiGo offers codeshare seats to travellers at more than 40 points in Europe and the US through its partnership with Turkish Airlines.
“The codeshare has enabled IndiGo to build its presence in the long-haul markets in Europe and the USA, putting in place the foundation for self-sufficiency, i.e., its long-haul foray with the 40 A321XLR and 30 A350 aircraft ordered by the airline,” the airline cited.
“This arrangement not only enhances the connectivity of Indian hubs like Delhi and Mumbai, but the additional revenue has also led to increased tax contributions to the Indian exchequer, supporting economic growth.”