On Thursday, India’s Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) cancelled the security clearance for Celebi Airport Services India Pvt Ltd, a subsidiary of Turkey’s Celebi Aviation Holding, with immediate effect. This clearance is mandatory for companies handling critical airport services like passenger and baggage handling. The government justified the action as being “in the interest of national security” but did not provide any specific details or evidence to support the claim.

The decision follows a period of strained diplomatic relations between India and Turkey. Tensions escalated after Turkey openly supported Pakistan during the recent Operation Sindoor, India’s anti-terror strikes in response to the Pahalgam terror attack. Reports also emerged that Turkish-made drones were supplied to Pakistan and used during the conflict, fuelling public anger and calls for a boycott of Turkish firms in India.

In its legal filing to the Delhi High Court, Celebi argued that the government’s order was based on “vague and general references to national security” without any concrete or substantive justification. The company said it had not received any warning or opportunity to respond before the clearance was revoked. Celebi warned that the move would directly impact 3,791 jobs and undermine investor trust in India’s aviation sector, stating, “Mere rhetoric of national security without elaborating upon in what manner is an entity a threat to national security is unsustainable in law”.

Celebi has been a major player in India’s aviation sector for over 15 years, providing ground handling, cargo, and warehouse management services at nine major airports including Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, Cochin, Kannur, Goa, and Ahmedabad. The company claims to employ around 10,000 people in India and has invested over $250 million in the country.

Following the government’s action, Indian authorities moved quickly to ensure continuity of airport operations. The Ministry of Civil Aviation announced that all Celebi employees would be transferred to other ground handling companies at the affected airports. At Mumbai Airport, for example, Indian firm Indothai was appointed to take over Celebi’s staff and assets, with nearly 3,000 employees expected to be moved to the new employer’s payroll. The government has assured that airport entry permits for Celebi staff will remain valid until May 19, after which new permits will be issued under the names of the new employers.

Logistical and Administrative Challenges

Despite these assurances, the sudden transition has posed significant logistical and administrative challenges. Celebi’s assets and equipment are being redistributed among existing and new ground handling service providers, but the process is ongoing and the long-term impact on airport operations remains to be seen.

Celebi has strongly denied any wrongdoing, insisting that it has always complied with Indian laws and regulations. The company also pointed out that while its shareholders are registered in Turkey, the majority control is held by entities that are not of Turkish origin. Celebi said it had undergone all necessary background checks and security verifications by Indian authorities before starting its operations.

The Delhi High Court is expected to hear Celebi’s petition on Monday. Meanwhile, the government has stood by its decision, with the Minister of State for Civil Aviation stating that the move was taken after receiving requests from across India to ban Celebi, and that “ensuring the safety and interests of the nation remains our top priority”.

The case has drawn attention to the delicate balance between national security concerns and the need for transparent regulatory processes, especially when thousands of jobs and significant foreign investment are at stake. The outcome of Celebi’s legal challenge is likely to set an important precedent for foreign companies operating in sensitive sectors in India.

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This directive was issued by the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) under the Ministry of Civil Aviation, following recent tensions between India and Turkey over the latter’s support for Pakistan in international matters.

A spokesperson for Adani Airport Holdings stated, “Following the Government of India’s decision to revoke Celebi’s security clearance, we have terminated the ground handling concession agreements with Celebi at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport and Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. Accordingly, Celebi has been directed to immediately hand over to us all ground handling facilities to ensure uninterrupted operations.” The company further assured that all existing employees of Çelebi at both airports would be transferred to new ground handling agencies under their current terms of employment, ensuring that airport operations remain unaffected and service standards are maintained.

The termination of Çelebi’s contracts is not limited to Mumbai and Ahmedabad. Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) also ended its agreement with Çelebi, reflecting a broader shift after the government’s security concerns. Çelebi had a significant presence in India, managing ground handling at nine major airports, including Delhi, Mumbai, Cochin, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Goa, Ahmedabad, and Chennai. In Mumbai alone, Çelebi handled nearly 70% of ground operations.

Response by Çelebi Aviation India

Amidst the controversy, Çelebi Aviation India has strongly denied allegations about its Turkish links and political affiliations. In a detailed statement, the company said, “We are not a Turkish organisation by any standard and adhere fully to globally accepted practices of corporate governance, transparency, and neutrality, with no political affiliations or links to any foreign government or individuals.” Çelebi clarified that its Indian operations are majority-owned (65%) by international institutional investors from countries such as Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Singapore, the UAE, and Western Europe. The remaining ownership is split between Actera Partners II L.P., a Jersey-registered fund, and Alpha Airport Services BV, a Dutch entity.

Çelebi also addressed specific rumours regarding its ownership, especially claims linking it to Sümeyye Erdoğan, daughter of Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. The company categorically stated, “We categorically reject another false claim being propagated around Ms. Sümeyye Erdoğan’s daughter being a part owner. For the record and in line with complete transparency, there is no one named Sümeyye owning any shareholding in the parent organisation. The Turkish shareholding is solely limited to members of the founding Çelebioğlu family; Mr. Can Çelebioğlu and Ms. Canan Çelebioğlu, neither of whom have any political affiliations or associations of any kind”.

Çelebi Aviation India further emphasised its commitment to India and its role in the country’s aviation sector. “Our business in India is truly an Indian enterprise, led and managed by Indian professionals. We remain fully committed to India and to contributing meaningfully to the country’s progress as a global aviation hub. We are confident that facts, transparency, and common sense will prevail over misinformation,” the company added.

With Adani Airport Holdings moving swiftly to ensure a seamless transition, new ground handling agencies have already been appointed to take over the services at Mumbai and Ahmedabad airports. The company reiterated its commitment to upholding the highest standards of service and national interest, assuring passengers and airlines of uninterrupted operations.

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A major segment of India’s outbound travel sector is witnessing a steep decline in demand for Turkey. A sharp decline in interest for Turkey as a travel destination with nearly 80 per cent of bookings either cancelled or postponed.

This comes after public statements by Turkey and Azerbaijan in support of Pakistan after India launched ‘Operation Sindoor’, targeting terror infrastructure across the border. The two countries have expressed diplomatic support for Pakistan.

Turkey not only supported Pakistan with ammunition such as more than 350 drones, but Turkish advisors helped Pakistani Army officials coordinate drone attacks on India after Operation Sindoor. Two Turkish military operatives were reportedly killed as part of Operation Sindoor.

Apple traders in Pune boycott Turkish apples

Apple traders in Pune say they have decided to boycott Turkish apples. Suyog Zende, an apple trader at Pune’s APMC market, told ANI, “We have decided to stop buying apples from Turkey because it supports Pakistan, and instead prefer to buy apples from Himachal and other areas. India was taking action against terrorism, but Turkey supplied drones to Pakistan. Retail customers are also saying that they do not want Turkish apples. Seeing them, we also decided to boycott Turkish apples. Turkish apples are sold here for 3 months and this business is worth around Rs 1200-1500 crore. When there was an earthquake in Turkey, India was the first country to help them, but they supported Pakistan.”

Udaipur Marble Traders to end business with Turkey

Marble traders in Rajasthan’s Udaipur have decided to end business with Turkey for supporting Pakistan amid recent tensions with India. Kapil Surana, President of Udaipur Marble Processors Committee, told ANI, “Udaipur is Asia’s biggest exporter of marbles. All members of the committee had unanimously agreed to stop trade with Turkey because of its support to Pakistan. At least 70% of the marble imported to India comes from Turkey. Not just Udaipur, if all marble associations stop their trade with Turkey, it will give a strong message to the world that the Indian government is not alone, industries and all Indians stand with our government. Also, by stopping trade with Turkey, the demand for Indian marble will grow.”

Shiv Sena demands removal of Turkish company handling ground services in Mumbai airport

Shiv Sena leaders on Monday visited Mumbai Airport and demanded that the authorities cancel the contract of a Turkish company currently handling ground services. The party is upset over Turkey’s open support to Pakistan amid rising tensions between India and Pakistan. Shiv Sena leader Murji Patel told reporters that they are angry because Turkey is making money through contracts in India while backing Pakistan at the same time.

Travel companies suspend bookings to Turkey and Azerbaijan

Leading travel agencies including EaseMyTrip, Cox &Kings and ixigo have suspended all travel packages, flights and hotel bookings to Turkey and Azerbaijan in solidarity with India, amid reports of Turkey siding with Pakistan.
Indian travellers and travel agents have expressed strong displeasure over Turkey’s statements of support for Pakistan during the conflict, leading to mass cancellations and halt on new bookings.

Online travel bookings platform, Ixigo’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Aloke Bajpai, in a post on the social media platform X on Saturday, May 10, announced that the company is suspending all hotel and flight bookings to Turkey, China & Azerbaijan amid the ongoing India and Pakistan conflict.
“Enough is Enough! Blood and Bookings won’t flow together. We are suspending all flight and hotel bookings for Turkey, China and Azerbaijan on ixigo,” Aloke Bajpai mentioned in his X post.

In an X post, ixigo said, “In solidarity with our nation, ixigo is suspending flight and hotel bookings for Turkey, Azerbaijan, and China. Because when it comes to Bharat, we don’t think twice. Jai Hind”.

According to a B2B marketplace for travel agents, there has been “A sharp decline in interest for Turkey as a travel destination with nearly 80 per cent of bookings either cancelled or postponed”.

Online travel booking platforms such as Cox & Kings and Travomint have also suspended sale of all travel packages to nations like Turkey and Azerbaijan in a move to boycott the nations.

This comes after Turkey condemned India’s Operation Sindoor in Pakistan and said that it increases the risks of an “all-out war” between India and Pakistan. Apart from Turkey, Azerbaijan also criticised India’s airstrike.

Turkish drones used by Pakistan against India

Following Operation Sindoor under which Indian Military attacked terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK), the Pakistan Army sent 300–400 drones to target Indian military infrastructure along the northern and western borders.

Sharing the information during a press briefing on Operation Sindoor, Colonel Sofiya Qureshi said, “Forensic investigation of the wreckage of the drones is being done. Initial reports suggest that they are Turkish Asisguard Songar drones. The Indian armed forces shot down many of these drones using kinetic and non-kinetic means. The possible purpose of such large-scale aerial intrusions was to test air defence systems and collect intelligence.”

Earlier this month, Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs posted on X sharing Turkey’s Foreign Affairs Minister Hakan Fidan’s message of solidarity with Pakistan against India’s Operation Sindoor.

“FM of Türkiye @HakanFidan called DPM/FM @MIshaqDar50 to express Türkiye’s solidarity with Pakistan against India’s unprovoked aggression violating Pakistan’s sovereignty and killing innocent civilians. He expressed concern over the deteriorating regional security situation. Both leaders agreed to remain in close coordination on the evolving situation,” reads the X post by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan.

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