Turkey gets hit, Celebi Aviation asked to Stop all Ops
Celebi Aviation has been responsible for critical high-security operations at nine major Indian airports, including Delhi, Mumbai, and Chennai. Its security clearance has now been revoked.
India has revoked the security clearance of Celebi Aviation, a Turkish company which was involved in providing passenger and cargo ground handling services at some Indian airports. The decision was taken in the interest of national security.
This development came as India’s relations with Turkey came under lens after Turkey backed Pakistan and condemned Indian armed forces’ Operation Sindoor following the Pahalgam terror attack.
The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) revoked the security clearance of Celebi Airport Services India Pvt Ltd with immediate effect. This company was earlier granted clearance on November 21, 2022, under Ground Handling Agency category.
Meanwhile, Ministry of Civil Aviation reported that airports currently served by Celebi will need to make interim arrangements in coordination with alternate ground handling agencies. Fresh tenders are expected to be floated soon to appoint new service providers at the nine airports where Celebi operates.
Celebi Aviation was responsible for critical high-security operations at nine major Indian airports, including Delhi, Mumbai, and Chennai. The company has been handling key functions such as ground handling, cargo services, and airside operations — all of which are deemed high-security due to the sensitive and tightly regulated nature of airport zones.
A couple of days back, a Shiv Sena MLA wrote to Chief Airport Officer, demanding revocation of Celebi’s operational permission. Shiv Sena leader Murji Patel said that Turkey’s support to Pakistan raises grave concerns, especially when Turkish government-affiliated companies continue to operate within India’s most sensitive infrastructure zones, he said.
India Angry over Turkey’s support to Pak
There is public anger among Indians after Turkey and Azerbaijan backed Pakistan and condemned India’s recent military strikes on terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The strikes, under ‘Operation Sindoor’, were launched on May 7 in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 civilians.
Turkey reportedly supported Pakistan with drones and military assistance during the conflict—prompting backlash in India, especially given the aid India had extended to Turkey after devastating earthquakes in 2023.
Call for a boycott of Turkish products and tourism have grown louder. Travel platforms like EaseMyTrip, MakeMyTrip, and Ixigo have also issued travel advisories to avoid unnecessary travels to Turkey and Azerbaijan. Go Homestays ended its partnership with Turkish Airlines, citing national interest.
Indian traders also have reportedly begun boycotting imports such as Turkish apples and marble. Trade experts warn the diplomatic row may further strain ties.
Also read Operation Sindoor : India’s reply to Pak
Connected read at Mock Drills in India in the wake of attack, Airports shut in North India
Backlash on Turkey
Earlier, Shiv Sena has demanded an immediate termination of a ground-handling company Çelebi’s contract at Mumbai’s international airport. Citing national security concerns Sena leader Murji Patel on 13 May led a delegation to Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL), calling for an end to its association with Çelebi NAS Airport Services.
The Sena had given Mumbai International Airport a 10-day deadline to cancel the contract, warning of protests if no action is taken.
The ultimatum comes at a time when social media is abuzz with boycott calls for travel to Turkiye.
What is Çelebi aviation?
Çelebi has presence at 9 airports in India – Mumbai, Delhi, Cochin, Kannur, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Goa, Ahmedabad and Chennai. It provides ground handling as Çelebi Airport Services India and cargo services as Çelebi Delhi Cargo Terminal Management India at Delhi.
Headquartered in Istanbul, Turkey, Çelebi Aviation stepped into the aviation industry with the establishment of Çelebi Ground Handling on February 1, 1958 at Ankara Airport by Ali Cavit Çelebioğlu as the first privately-owned ground handling services company in the Turkish aviation industry.
Some reports have linked the company to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, but the claim has not been established with any evidence.
Total 5.4 Lakh tons of cargo in India
Today, Celebi says, it operates across three continents, in six countries, including India and on 70 stations worldwide. The services include wheelchair assistance, ramps, passenger and cargo handling, warehouse management, bridge operations and airport lounge management, to name a few.
In India, the company entered in 2008 with a joint venture with a mandate to provide comprehensive and ‘world-class’ services at Mumbai International Airport. Since then, it has expanded rapidly.
In India, the company handles 58,000 flights, 5,40,000 tons of cargo and has about 7,800 employees, the website says.
Also read Operation Sindoor : India’s reply to Pak
Connected read at Mock Drills in India in the wake of attack, Airports shut in North India
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Full Story and Credits : Livemint and Indiatoday
