Why Turkish firm Celebi aviation’s licence was revoked by India

New Delhi: In a decisive move, the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) has withdrawn the security clearance of Celebi Aviation Pvt Ltd, a Turkish-origin company providing ground-handling services at nine Indian airports, including major hubs like Delhi and Mumbai. The decision, effective immediately, was made citing national security concerns.

The revocation comes amid escalating diplomatic tensions between India and Turkey, fueled by Turkey’s perceived support for Pakistan during recent conflicts. Shiv Sena, a key ally in the Maharashtra government, had urged Mumbai’s airport authorities to sever ties with Celebi, reflecting public and political discontent over Turkey’s stance.

Celebi Aviation, which employs over 10,000 workers in India, handles critical operations such as passenger services, baggage processing, aircraft loading, cargo management, and ramp services. The company’s significant role, particularly managing 70% of ground operations at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, underscores the potential for disruptions at affected airports.

Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu emphasized that “national interest and public safety are paramount and non-negotiable. He further assured that the order extends to Celebi’s associated companies in India, signaling a broad clampdown. To mitigate the impact on workers, Naidu stated efforts are underway to reassign Celebi’s employees to other ground-handling firms, ensuring continuity of services.

The move has sparked concerns about operational challenges at the nine airports Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Goa, Cochin, and Kannur where Celebi operates. Industry analysts, as cited by Hindustan Times, suggest that while contingency plans are in place, maintaining seamless services during the transition to new providers will be a critical challenge.