As diplomatic tensions between India and Pakistan intensify, Indian travellers are boycotting trips to Turkey and Azerbaijan following reports of both countries expressing support for Pakistan. Online calls for a travel boycott have rapidly gained momentum, leading to significant disruptions across travel platforms.
MakeMyTrip, one of India’s leading travel portals, has reported a 60% drop in bookings to Turkey and Azerbaijan and a 250% spike in cancellation requests over the past week. “Indian travellers have expressed strong sentiments. In solidarity with our nation and our armed forces, we advise against non-essential travel to these destinations,” a MakeMyTrip spokesperson said.
Other platforms are also witnessing similar trends. EaseMyTrip has seen 22% cancellations for Turkey and 30% for Azerbaijan, while Ixigo and Pickyourtrail have temporarily suspended bookings to both countries.
What Travellers Should Know About Refunds
With cancellations on the rise, here are key refund policies from major airlines:
IndiGo:
- Refunds processed after deducting cancellation fees.
- Processing time: up to 7 working days.
- Bookings via agents: Contact the agency for refunds.
Air India:
- Direct bookings: Track status on the Air India support portal.
- Via agents or third-party sites: Contact the respective booking platform.
- Office bookings: Visit the same ticketing office.
- Standard processing: 7–10 business days; delays possible for complex cases.
General airline refunds:
- Credit/debit cards: 7–14 business days.
- Some cases may take up to 90 days depending on the method and airline.
The boycott has turned into a broader expression of national sentiment, impacting tourism, travel, and international relations.
