DGCA allows IndiGo to wet lease 6 Turkish Airlines’ B777s for six months; airline request govt for 2-year period

NEW DELHI: The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has allowed IndiGo to wet lease (take on lease aircraft with entire operating crew) six wide body Boeing 777s from Turkish Airlines for six months — first three months, and then a one-time extension for another three months — as per its rules. The airline has, however, sought the aviation ministry’s exemption from the six-month rule and requested to wet lease the planes for two years — first one year and then extendable another year — to be deployed on routes between India and Turkey.

“We are awaiting the ministry’s decision on this issue. We have sought an exemption for two years as we feel the supply chain issues being currently faced (delays in getting replacement engines, new aircraft and component) will hopefully be resolved in that timeframe,” said IndiGo sources. The DGCA has allowed the six-month wet lease to IndiGo due to the delays plaguing airlines due to global supply chain constraints.