New Delhi: Amid growing diplomatic tensions between India and Turkiye, Air India has announced plans to shift the heavy maintenance work of its wide-body aircraft from Turkish Technic to other international Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) providers.
The decision follows the Indian government’s tough stance on Turkiye’s recent pro-Pakistan remarks and its criticism of India’s counter-terrorism operations under ‘Operation Sindoor’ in May. In a significant move on May 15, the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) revoked the security clearance of Turkish firm Celebi Airport Services India Pvt Ltd, citing “interest of national security.”
IndiGo lease deadline nears
Further deepening the rift, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on May 30 granted IndiGo a final three-month extension to operate two Boeing 777s leased from Turkish Airlines. IndiGo has been directed to end the damp lease arrangement by August 31.
In response to questions over Air India’s ongoing maintenance ties with Turkish Technic, CEO and Managing Director Campbell Wilson acknowledged the complexities of adjusting logistics in aviation but noted the company’s awareness of the prevailing national mood.
“It does take a while to adjust when the circumstances change around us but we are obviously sensitive to the national sentiment and perhaps the national wishes. So, regardless of which country we are talking about, we would clearly take cognisance of what people like us to do and expect us to do,” Wilson told PTI.
Air India’s fleet includes Boeing 777 and 787 wide-body aircraft, which currently undergo major maintenance work at Turkish Technic facilities. However, Wilson confirmed the airline is working to reduce this reliance and shift such operations to other countries.
“With this most recent development, we will look to recalibrate where we send our aircraft, reduce the amount that we are sending to Turkiye and send it to other places,” he said.
He added that while immediate changes are limited by operational needs, the airline is making efforts to realign its plans. “But that does take some time because aircraft have to be maintained… we are cognisant of recent developments and we will look to adjust our plans,” he said.
Focus on MRO diversification
In the near term, Air India will continue to send aircraft abroad for MRO services, with options including facilities in the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and the United States. At the same time, the airline is looking to gradually enhance domestic capabilities to handle heavy maintenance. Air India currently operates a total of 191 aircraft, 64 of which are wide-body models.
