The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) on May 15 revoked the ground handling permit of Celebi Ground Handling India Pvt Ltd, a subsidiary of Turkey’s Celebi Aviation Holding, with immediate effect. The aviation watchdog cited “national security concerns” as the primary reason for the cancellation of the company’s security clearance.
The decision to revoke Celebi’s permit comes in the wake of escalating geopolitical tensions. Recently, Turkey openly backed Pakistan and condemned India’s military actions under Operation Sindoor, which targeted terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu-Kashmir (PoJK). The controversy intensified as Pakistan used Turkish drones extensively during the conflict, raising concerns in India about Turkey’s role in aiding its adversaries.
According to top government sources, BCAS found multiple lapses in the ground handling operations conducted by Celebi at Indian airports. The watchdog stated that the security clearance, originally granted on November 21, 2022, was revoked “in the interest of national security” due to geographical and strategic risks, given that civil aviation is considered a highly sensitive sector.
A notification issued by BCAS, with the approval of the Director General, stated, “In the exercise of power conferred upon DG, BCAS, the security clearance in r/o Celebi Airport Services India Pvt. Ltd. is hereby revoked with immediate effect in the interest of National Security.”
Celebi Ground Handling India Pvt Ltd has been operating in the country since 2008, providing ground handling and cargo services at nine major Indian airports. These include the Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi, Mumbai, Cochin, Kannur, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Goa, Ahmedabad, and Chennai. The company’s services include passenger handling, ramp operations, cargo management, load control, flight operations, warehouse management, and general aviation support.
Celebi handles approximately 58,000 flights and 540,000 tons of cargo annually in India, employing around 7,800 staff. The revocation of its permit could significantly impact ground handling operations at these key airports.
Social media has been rife with claims that Celebi Aviation is partly owned by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s daughter, Sumeyye Bayraktar. Sumeyye is married to Selcuk Bayraktar, founder of Baykar, the company manufacturing Turkish military drones, which have been supplied globally, including to Pakistan.
However, Celebi Aviation India has strongly refuted these claims, labelling them as “misleading and factually incorrect”.
In an official statement, the company said, “Celebi’s business in India is truly an Indian enterprise, led and managed by Indian professionals. We are not a Turkish organisation by any standard.”
“We categorically reject another false claim being propagated around Ms. Sumeyye Erdogan’s daughter being a part owner. There is no one named Sümeyye owning any shareholding in the parent organisation.”
Government sources indicate that India is also reviewing existing contracts with Celebi, particularly those linked directly to national security. Financial ties are being scrutinised, especially in cases where civil aviation security is at risk.
Additionally, the controversy has sparked public outrage, with some quarters calling for a boycott of Turkish goods and tourism. Online travel portals and associations have reportedly issued advisories, urging people to reconsider visiting Turkey.
The revocation of Celebi’s ground handling permit highlights the increasing scrutiny of foreign entities operating in sensitive sectors within India. As Turkey’s geopolitical stance becomes increasingly aligned with Pakistan, the Indian government is stepping up measures to secure national interests, including reassessing partnerships that could pose a risk.
With the aviation sector being vital for national security, the action against Celebi sets a precedent for stringent checks on foreign companies operating in critical areas. As India continues to celebrate the success of Operation Sindoor, the move also signals a firm stance against those perceived as aiding adversarial nations.
