Turkey’s Firm Celebi Loses Security Clearance in India Over ‘Support to Pakistan’ Row

The Indian government on Thursday has revoked the security clearance of the Indian arm of a Turkish firm- Celebi Ground Handling India Private Limited, a major player in airport ground services across nine major Indian airports. The move follows Turkey’s vocal support for Pakistan during ‘Operation Sindoor’ — India’s recent military operation targeting terrorist infrastructures deep inside Pakistan and Pakistan occupied Kashmir. In an order issued on Thursday evening, the Ministry of Civil Aviation announced the cancellation of Celebi’s security clearance. “In the exercise of power conferred upon DG (Director General), 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. This issues with the approval of DG, BCAS,” a Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) order issued on Thursday stated.

Celebi Aviation operates in India through two separate entities — Celebi Airport Services India, which manages ground handling operations, and Celebi Delhi Cargo Terminal Management India, which oversees cargo services at the Delhi International Airport. The firm is responsible for several high-security and critical functions, including ramp services (guiding aircraft on the ground), load control and flight operations (ensuring proper aircraft weight balance), bridge operations (managing passenger boarding bridges), and handling cargo, postal services, and warehouse management.

After ‘Operation Sindoor’, apart from Ankara’s open support for Islamabad, widespread use of Turkish drones by Pakistan in operations against India has added to diplomatic fallout between India and Turkey. There has been a growing clamour for boycott of travels to Turkey and Turkish firms doing businesses in India. 

After the deadly April 22nd Pahalgam terror attack in Kashmir, ‘Operation Sindoor’ was launched by Indian armed forces on may 7, with the objective of dismantling terror launchpads and infrastructure across the LoC and also inside Pakistan. At least 9 terror camps and training camps in Pakistan and Pakistan occupied Kashmir were targeted by Indian Armed Forces, in a historic joint operation of Indian Army, Air Force and the Navy, first since 1971. While the operation was hailed domestically and backed by several global powers, Turkey publicly criticised the military action and expressed solidarity with Pakistan — a move viewed in India as interference in its counter-terrorism efforts.

Çelebi Responds: 

“Çelebi Aviation India unequivocally refutes all misleading, and factually incorrect allegations circulating on social media regarding the company’s ownership and operations in India…Çelebi Aviation India is a professionally governed, globally operated aviation services company. Today, it is majority-owned (65%) by international institutional investors from across Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates, and Western Europe. Actera Partners II L.P., a Jersey-registered fund holds 50% ownership in Çelebi Havacılık Holding A.Ş. (Çelebi Aviation Holding). The remaining 15% is held by Alpha Airport Services BV, a Dutch-registered entity,” Çelebi Aviation India said in a statement. “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,” it added.