New Delhi: – In a move aimed at safeguarding national security interests, Delhi based Advocate Satya Prakash has filed a detailed application under the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005, seeking information on the operations of Turkish-origin companies involved in critical ground handling and cargo services at Indian airports.
The RTI application, submitted to the Airports Authority of India (AAI), raises serious concerns about the continued involvement of Turkey-linked entities in sensitive aviation infrastructure—particularly in light of Turkey’s growing strategic and military ties with Pakistan.
Companies Under Scrutiny
The companies named in the RTI include:
- Celebi Airport Services India Private Limited
- Celebi Mumbai Cargo Terminal Management India Private Limited
- Celebi Delhi Cargo Terminal Management India Private Limited
These companies, which are subsidiaries of Turkish conglomerate Celebi Aviation Holding, are currently managing a range of ground handling and cargo operations at key Indian airports including those in Delhi, Mumbai, Cochin, Kannur, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Goa (GOX), Ahmedabad, and Chennai.
Information Sought
The RTI petition seeks:
- A comprehensive list of services provided by Celebi at Indian airports.
- Copies of agreements or MoUs signed between AAI and the Celebi group.
- Details of any security reviews or assessments conducted by AAI in light of Turkey’s military support to Pakistan.
- Whether the AAI has considered suspending or reassessing its contracts with these companies due to potential national security risks.
- A location-wise breakdown of services provided by Celebi, including ground handling, passenger services, ramp operations, cargo handling, and bridge operations.
The applicant emphasized that the information is being sought in the national interest, particularly given the strategic nature of aviation infrastructure and its susceptibility to external influence or interference.
Rising Strategic Concerns
The development comes at a time when India’s diplomatic and security circles are closely watching the evolving alliance between Turkey and Pakistan, particularly their cooperation in defense and military technology. Turkey’s vocal support for Pakistan on Kashmir and its growing military footprint in South Asia have raised eyebrows in New Delhi.
Experts argue that allowing firms from a country with increasingly adversarial postures toward India to operate in sensitive sectors—such as aviation logistics and cargo movement—poses a serious counterintelligence and operational risk.
Government Response Awaited
While the RTI has been officially submitted, no formal response from the Airports Authority of India has been made public yet. If the AAI confirms the existence of national security assessments or internal reviews, it could potentially pave the way for a policy re-evaluation of foreign vendors in critical infrastructure domains.
What’s at Stake
Celebi’s operations encompass crucial areas such as:
- Ground handling of aircraft
- Passenger boarding and baggage services
- Ramp and load control operations
- Cargo and postal logistics
- Warehousing
- Bridge (aerobridge) operations
These activities place such firms in a uniquely sensitive position with access to high-security zones, cargo manifests, and potentially even passenger data—making the issue more than just a commercial concern.
A Broader Policy Shift?
This RTI move could signal the beginning of a broader reassessment of foreign participation in India’s critical infrastructure, especially from countries with a track record of hostile diplomacy or military cooperation with India’s adversaries.
As geopolitical tensions continue to evolve, stakeholders are calling for a more rigorous security vetting process for all foreign companies operating in strategic sectors.
