Flying High, Falling Short: Turkey's Aviation Growth in India Overshadowed by Pro-Pakistan Policies

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In recent years, Turkey has aggressively pursued closer aviation ties with India, positioning itself as a key transit hub for Indian travelers heading to Europe and beyond. However, Ankara’s increasingly vocal support for Pakistan—particularly in matters of regional security and Kashmir—now threatens to derail its ambitions in India’s lucrative civil aviation sector.

The contradiction is stark. On the one hand, Turkish Airlines has built a reputation for quality service and global connectivity, offering Indian passengers a gateway to over 120 international destinations via Istanbul. On the other, Turkey’s alignment with Pakistan, including defense collaborations and consistent anti-India statements at global forums, has deeply eroded goodwill in New Delhi.

This friction reached a boiling point in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack, when Turkey not only defended Pakistan’s position but called for international intervention in Kashmir—a move India deemed hostile and intrusive. Ankara’s continued military support to Islamabad, including drones, naval vessels, and combat training, has only intensified Indian concerns.

Despite this backdrop, Turkish Airlines continues to seek expansion in India. The airline currently operates flights from Delhi and Mumbai but is seeking access to cities like Bengaluru, Chennai, and Ahmedabad. Its long-term strategy is to transform Istanbul into the preferred transit point for Indian outbound travelers.

However, the Indian public is pushing back. Travel companies have reported a 60% drop in Turkey-related bookings, and cancellations have flooded agencies in key metro cities. Online campaigns urging Indians to reconsider Turkey as a travel destination have gained momentum. Business leaders have publicly advised consumers to channel their tourism budgets toward nations that do not undermine India’s national interests.

This sentiment is more than symbolic. In 2024, Indian tourists contributed over ₹4,000 crore to Turkey’s economy. That spending power is now being redirected, with alternate destinations experiencing a visible spike in interest.

Indian authorities have not yet formally curtailed Turkey’s aviation access, but observers believe it’s only a matter of time. Internal reviews are underway regarding bilateral agreements, especially in sectors where strategic interests and economic ties overlap.

Turkey’s attempt to balance politics and commerce may be faltering. While the country remains an attractive transit hub and tourist destination, its foreign policy choices are increasingly at odds with Indian public opinion and national strategy.

Unless Ankara recalibrates its regional approach, it risks losing more than just diplomatic favor—it may lose access to one of the fastest-growing aviation markets in the world.

Journalist Details

Jitendra Kumar

Jitendra Kumar is an Indian journalist and social activist from Hathras in Uttar Pradesh is known as the senior journalist and founder of Xpert Times Network Private Limited.