Travel platforms, Gujarat agents stop booking for Azerbaijan, Turkey: Will Indigo cancel flights?

Kochi: The travel agencies in Kerala have landed in soup after Azerbaijan and Turkey have been facing severe criticisms on social media. Both countries had sided with Pakistan in the recent military engagement between India and Pakistan. People are expressing anger against these countries that criticised India, allegedly for attacking the civilian areas in Pakistan. Many travel platforms have stopped booking Baku in Azerbaijan and Istanbul in Turkey. The latest move is similar to the calls for a boycott against the Maldives in the Lakshadweep issue. Many agencies have received phone calls from customers asking for cancellations and refunds. Meanwhile, travel groups stated that the ticket fares and other booking fees could be refunded only if India issues a travel advisory against travelling to these countries.

Hundreds of travel groups from Kochi arrange tours to Baku in a year. The Baku trip via Sharjah in May costs around Rs 1 lakh. In 2024, 2.40 lakh Indian tourists visited Baku. Baku became a prominent destination among Malayalis after Azerbaijan offered a free visa to those with a Gulf visa. Although trips to Turkey are more expensive than those to Baku, they are still popular. Around 3.30 lakh Indians had visited Turkey in 2024. The travel agent’s association hasn’t declared that Indians shouldn’t visit these countries. However, they have asked unofficially to stall all promotional programs and tour packages to Azerbaijan and Turkey.

After the border skirmish, people focus on a safe travelling experience. Now, Thailand, Vietnam and Singapore are enjoying a surge in bookings by Indian travellers. Passengers are worried whether the airports in the border areas will be closed abruptly. Meanwhile, domestic travellers have been switching their destinations to the northeastern states instead of the mountainous regions of North India.

Meanwhile, an Indigo Airlines spokesperson revealed to a national news platform that they do not experience a dip in bookings or increased cancellations. However, he said, they will make decisions depending on the evolving circumstances.