New Delhi: Indian authorities have revoked the security clearance of Celebi Airport Services India Pvt Ltd with immediate effect, citing concerns over national security.
The decision, issued on 15 May, by the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) under the Civil Aviation Ministry, impacts Celebi’s ground handling operations at nine key airports across the country, including Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Goa, Cochin and Kannur.
The revoked clearance, originally granted on 21 November 2022, was withdrawn “in the interest of national security,” according to a formal notification signed by Sunil Yadav, Joint Director (Operations), BCAS.
The notification says: “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”
Several reports stated that the company is a subsidiary of Istanbul-headquartered Celebi Aviation Holding. However, the firm then issued a statement in which Celebi has strongly denied “all misleading and factually incorrect allegations circulating on social media” regarding its ownership and operations.
The company asserted, “Celebi Aviation India is a professionally governed, globally operated aviation services company,” with 65 per cent of its ownership held by international institutional investors across North America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia.
The company clarified that it is “not a Turkish organisation by any standard,” and highlighted that it is “led and managed by Indian professionals” with no political affiliations or ties to any foreign government. It further dismissed as “categorically false” the claims about Turkish President Erdogan’s daughter, Sumeyye Erdogan, having any stake in the parent company, stating, “There is no one named Sümeyye owning any shareholding in the parent organisation.”
Celebi highlighted its 15-year presence in India, directly employing over 10,000 Indians and having invested more than $220 million in long-term aviation infrastructure. The company said it remains “fully committed to India and to contributing meaningfully to the country’s progress as a global aviation hub”.
In response to security concerns raised about its cargo terminal operations in Delhi, Celebi clarified that its facilities are “governed and regularly audited by Indian aviation and security authorities, including CISF, BCAS and AAI,” and that it remains in “full compliance with Indian aviation, national security, and tax regulations.”
Urging everyone to refrain from spreading “speculative and inaccurate narratives,” the company said, “We are confident that facts, transparency, and common sense will prevail over misinformation.”
Here, it should be noted that the revocation comes amid rising calls in India for a boycott of Turkish businesses following Turkey’s support for Pakistan during recent tensions after the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor. The backlash has led to a surge in Indian tourists cancelling travel plans to Turkey and growing political pressure to sever commercial ties with Turkish entities operating in sensitive sectors.
However, following the revocation, Celebi’s exit would create an immediate operational gap at major airports. Airport operators across the affected locations would issue tenders soon to onboard a new handler, as industry players eye the opportunity to expand their footprint.
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