India Revokes Celebi Aviation’s Licence at 9 Airports Over National Security Concerns

The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), under the civil aviation ministry, has revoked the licence of Celebi Aviation, the ground handling service provider operating at nine major airports across India. The move, effective immediately, is cited as a measure taken “in the interest of national security,” according to an official order dated May 15. A formal response from Celebi Aviation is still awaited.

Celebi Airport Services currently handles ground operations at key airports including Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Cochin, Kannur, Chennai, and the MOPA airport in Goa. The agency also caters to several international airlines and cargo carriers, and was reportedly preparing to commence operations at Visakhapatnam Airport.

The decision follows political pressure, particularly from the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, which raised alarms about Celebi’s Turkish origins amid strained India-Turkey relations. The party referenced Turkey’s past diplomatic support for Pakistan during regional conflicts as grounds for security concerns.

In a letter to Mumbai International Airport Ltd. (MIAL), Celebi’s CEO asserted that Celebi NAS operates as a neutral, business-oriented entity with no political affiliations. “CNAS is purely a business organisation having no political affiliations or alignment with any political views of any foreign country or its government,” the letter stated.

Shiv Sena MLA Murji Patel had earlier addressed a letter to airport authorities, arguing that Celebi’s continued presence posed “potential risks and vulnerabilities” to national security. He emphasized Turkey’s recent geopolitical stance and urged the cancellation of Celebi’s operational clearance.

In its defense, Celebi maintained that it functions as an Indian company, led and managed by Indian nationals, and complies with all regulatory frameworks. The company highlighted that its workforce in Mumbai exceeds 3,000 employees, all of whom have undergone standard security vetting, including police verification. Furthermore, Celebi clarified that none of its board members are Turkish citizens, contrary to claims made by some political figures.

The revocation marks a significant escalation in India’s scrutiny of foreign-linked businesses in sensitive sectors, particularly amid growing geopolitical tensions.