Indian tourism to Turkey has sharply declined following Operation Sindoor, a cross-border military strike by the Indian Armed Forces after a terrorist attack in Pahalgam. The operation triggered calls for a boycott of Turkey due to its open support for Pakistan during the conflict. Social media campaigns urging Indians to cancel travel plans have shown visible results, echoing the earlier boycott of the Maldives.
According to Turkey’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the country welcomed only 24,250 Indian visitors in June 2025 compared to 38,307 in June 2024, a 36 percent drop. The slide began in May immediately after Operation Sindoor, with a 24 percent decline from the previous year. For the first half of 2025, Indian arrivals totaled 1,39,215, down 15 percent year on year, highlighting the impact of public sentiment on tourism.
The repercussions extend beyond tourism as IndiGo reassesses its partnership with Turkish Airlines. Reports suggest the airline is reallocating leased aircraft away from Istanbul routes and moving maintenance contracts from Turkish Technic to Lufthansa Technik. In addition, the Turkish-owned ground services provider Celebi has seen its licence suspended and staff reassigned, indicating broader consequences of strained ties.
IndiGo is strengthening code-share agreements with European carriers including KLM, Air France, and Virgin Atlantic. If anti-Turkey sentiment continues, the airline may completely cut ties with Turkish Airlines. Meanwhile, Air India is also reviewing its maintenance arrangements with Turkish service providers. These moves underscore how public opinion and geopolitical tensions increasingly shape international business decisions.
