Turkey-based aviation ground handling and cargo services provider, Celebi Airport Services India Pvt Ltd, has moved the Delhi High Court challenging the Centre’s decision to revoke its security clearance citing national security concerns.
The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) cancelled Celebi’s clearance on Thursday, citing the “interest of national security” amid heightened tensions following Turkey’s support for Pakistan during hostilities with India after Operation Sindoor.
Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol explained the decision, stating, “Celebi Airport Services India Pvt Ltd is a Turkey-based company that provides ground services at many airports in the country. Turkey had openly supported Pakistan. In view of the current situation, this has become an issue of national security. Keeping security in mind, Celebi has been banned in the country.”
Celebi operates at nine major Indian airports including Delhi, Bengaluru, and Goa, handling around 58,000 flights and 5.4 lakh tonnes of cargo annually. The company’s presence supports nearly 3,791 jobs across India.
In its petition filed on Friday, Celebi contested the Centre’s move, describing the national security concerns cited as “vague” and lacking detailed reasoning. The company argued that the sudden revocation without prior warning would adversely impact thousands of employees and investor confidence.
Responding to the allegations, Celebi issued a statement emphasizing its Indian operations as independent from any foreign government influence. “Celebi’s business in India is truly an Indian enterprise, led and managed by Indian professionals, deeply invested in the country, and committed to its growth. 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,” the statement said.
The company further highlighted its global legacy of over 65 years in aviation services across three continents and six countries, underscoring its mission to contribute meaningfully to national economies and local workforce development in every country it operates.
India had initially granted security clearance to Celebi in November 2022. With the ongoing legal challenge, the aviation sector awaits the court’s decision on the matter that holds significance for security policies and foreign investment in critical infrastructure services.
Sources By Agencies
