15 MAY 2025:- In a significant move, the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) on Thursday revoked the security clearance of Turkish ground-handling company Celebi Airport Services India Pvt. Ltd., citing national security concerns. This decision comes in the wake of Turkiye’s recent diplomatic stance, where it backed Pakistan and criticized India’s counter-terror operations in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir under Operation Sindoor.
Celebi Airport Services India, a subsidiary of Turkiye-based Celebi, provides ground handling and cargo services at nine major Indian airports, including Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Goa, and Chennai. The BCAS, in its official order, stated that the clearance was being revoked “with immediate effect in the interest of national security.”
The development follows Turkiye and Azerbaijan’s support for Islamabad and their condemnation of India’s airstrikes on terror infrastructure in Pakistan. The issue has sparked calls in India to boycott Turkish goods and tourism. Several travel platforms and associations have reportedly issued advisories urging Indian citizens to avoid travel to Turkiye.
The Legal Boundary is News portal in India that reported first about Turkish firm Celebi’s role at sensitive airports.
Celebi entered the Indian aviation market through a joint venture at Mumbai International Airport and later expanded its footprint by establishing Celebi Airport Services India for ground handling and Celebi Delhi Cargo Terminal Management India for cargo operations at Delhi Airport.
The move by Indian authorities reflects growing geopolitical tensions and India’s intent to reassess business ties with companies linked to nations perceived as hostile to its national interests. It also signals heightened scrutiny of foreign entities operating in sensitive sectors like aviation. The long-term impact of this decision on airport operations remains to be seen, as Celebi played a significant role in servicing some of the busiest airports in India.
