By Bikram Vohra
The world doesn’t come to a halt even as India and Pakistan rattle sabres. And to see all global equations through a hostile prism is to skewer the interpretation. The brouhaha currently observed over IndiGo coming into a codesharing arrangement with Turkish Airlines is a perfect example of inaccurate submissions. The arguments by the critics are that Turkey is not pro Indian and actually on the Pakistan side in political support. As such, the critics lament that it’s rewarding the enemy by making this deal.
That is a patently false appreciation of the decision. At the very outset, the advantage accrues across the board to the Indian passenger per se. More options, more seamless connections and smoother travel.
The irony, on the contrary, is that if anyone should be peeved, it should be Pakistan as it sees its so-called supporter get into bed with its sworn foe.
The primary rationale for airlines in entering into code-share agreements is to broaden their offering to customers in terms of the number of destinations and, in some cases, the additional flight frequencies to potential customers, without having to deploy their aircraft equipment. This eventually allows airlines to save on the costs and resources by simply mounting their flight code on any other carrier while gaining passenger cross feeds. IndiGo is not alone in this arena, nor has it pioneered codesharing in India. Air India has had codeshares with multiple airlines for decades and these not only continue but have been expanded over the years. Air India currently has codeshares with 13 airlines, including Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines and others, covering nearly 100 routes across the globe.
IndiGo didn’t go into the deal in some knee-jerk fashion. It had been suitably and sensibly far-sighted. By offering passengers options of over 30 destinations in the US and Europe through this codesharing, both carriers are enjoying profits and balancing the overwhelmingly invasive texture of the Middle East airlines. These full-service carriers are highly likely to monopolise these sectors given the chance and are sharply competitive in their service. These 30 additions to the route map even the playing field a little. Business is good if it helps our bottom line. Ask IndiGo how buoyant this addition has made the route planning.
The Impact of the Codeshare Airline Arrangement on Indian Travelers
The recent developments in aviation arrangements between Indian carriers and Turkish Airlines have often been subject to misinterpretation. A closer examination, however, reveals that the primary beneficiaries of such agreements are neither Turkish Airlines nor Turkey itself, but the traveling public of India. The expanding partnership, specifically exemplified in codesharing and bilateral arrangements between Turkish Airlines (TK) and India’s IndiGo (6E), has fundamentally improved travel options for Indian passengers by providing greater connectivity at more affordable fares.
Foremost, the arrangement significantly enhances travel choices. Indian travellers now have access to a much larger array of destinations, particularly in Europe and Turkey, many of which are not served by any Indian airline through direct flights. This seamless connectivity is of tremendous value, especially for business and leisure travellers seeking efficient and cost-effective itineraries. The impact is most apparent on routes between India, Turkey, and Europe, where enhanced code-sharing has made it possible for Indian passengers to reach new cities without cumbersome layovers or excessive ticket prices.
Crucially, the collaboration has a moderating effect on airfare prices. Increased competition and expanded connectivity tend to curb excessive fare hikes. The partnership between Turkish Airlines and IndiGo introduces a competitive dynamic that disincentivizes price gouging, ensuring that fares remain accessible for the broader Indian traveling public. Without this arrangement, the market would likely revert to a scenario where Gulf and Middle Eastern carriers, owing to their established and extensive networks into Turkey and Europe, dominate these corridors. Such dominance often leads to less competition, fewer travel options, and the potential for higher fares.
It is also important to place this aviation partnership in the broader framework of India-Turkey economic relations. While the codeshare and related arrangements are visibly prominent in the public sphere, their actual economic impact is quite modest compared to the overall India-Turkey trade relationship, which stands at over USD 10 billion. Therefore, concerns about disproportionate benefits accruing to Turkish Airlines or Turkey are not substantiated by the economic data; the collaboration represents but a minor facet of a much larger bilateral engagement.
The evolving partnership between Indian and Turkish airlines predominantly benefits Indian travellers. By making affordable and convenient travel a reality, particularly to destinations not directly served by Indian carriers, this arrangement enhances global mobility for Indian citizens. At the same time, it introduces a much-needed element of fare moderation and travel flexibility, ensuring that Indian consumers, rather than foreign airlines or governments, are the principal beneficiaries. Thus, rather than being an example of disproportionate external advantage, the arrangement is a practical illustration of how strategic cooperation in aviation can support national interests and promote people-to-people connectivity.
A pragmatic decision is being emotionally charged without reason.
India is not at war with Turkey. We do 10 billion dollars in annual business with it. It is like saying we should not fly to Canada because they encourage the Khalistan movement or saying that Air India should quit the Star Alliance because Air Canada is also a member.
Let’s look at such decisions the way they are positioned. For the comfort of the passenger, the maturing of a carrier as it spreads its wings and the potential of the inflating bottom line.
Think about it. Why would IndiGo make a deal where it comes off as a loser?
Bikram Vohra, Consulting Editor of Indian Aerospace & Defence, is a veteran journalist with over five decades of experience in aviation reporting. He has held senior editorial positions at leading publications such as Gulf News, Khaleej Times, and Bahrain Tribune, and has authored over 22,000 articles in 100 newspapers worldwide. Vohra is highly regarded for his interviews with global leaders and regularly moderates international aviation forums. He is also committed to mentoring aspiring journalists.
