India Revokes Security Clearance Of Turkish Firm Celebi Aviation's Passenger, Cargo Handling Units

The Centre has revoked security clearance for Turkiye-based Celebi Aviation Holding's three local arms involved in passenger and cargo handling services, effective immediately, citing security concerns.

Two of these subsidiaries — Celebi Airport Services India Pvt. and Celebi Nas Airport Services India Pvt. — provide ground handling services at nine airports — Delhi, Goa, Cochin, Kannur, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai and Ahmedabad, carrying out several high-security tasks critical to the safe and efficient functioning of airport operations. This includes passenger check-ins, boarding, baggage load and unload, aircraft maintenance, etc. The third, Celebi Delhi Cargo Terminal Management India Pvt., offers cargo handling services to various airlines at Delhi Airport under a 25-year concession agreement since November 2009.

"The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security has revoked the security clearance of M/s Celebi and its associated companies on grounds related to national security," the Ministry of Civil Aviation said in a statement on Thursday.

Union Minister of Civil Aviation Ram Mohan Naidu reiterated that national interest and public safety are "paramount" and "non-negotiable".

He added that necessary arrangements have been made at affected airports to ensure seamless handling of passengers and cargo, and special teams are being deployed to oversee operations and address any emerging issues in real time. Efforts are also being made to ensure that employees working with Celebi are retained. "The ministry is in active coordination with airport operators to manage the transition," Naidu said.

Celebi has come under scrutiny after Turkiye's public support for Pakistan in conflict with India. Faced with social media outrage and subsequent government directive, the company has issued a statement saying that its business in India "is truly an Indian enterprise, led and managed by Indian professionals, deeply invested in the country, and committed to its growth." The company manages over 58,000 flights and handles 5.4 lakh tonnes of cargo annually across India. It directly employs 10,000 people.

More than 65% of the group business is owned by international investors spanning Canada, the US, the UK, Singapore, the UAE, and Western Europe, the company said, adding that the Turkish ownership is limited to Can Çelebioğlu and Ms Canan Çelebioğlu, each holding 17.5%.

Following the BCAS order, the Delhi Airport has severed ties with the Celebi entities responsible for ground handling and cargo operations. It is working with existing service providers to ensure uninterrupted operations. "To ensure continuity and operational stability, DIAL is actively coordinating with the existing ground handling service providers — AISATS, and Bird Group," it said in a statement. "In case of cargo operations, DIAL is working towards onboarding one of the pre-approved cargo handlers to ensure uninterrupted cargo operations." In addition, DIAL has assured that all employees currently on the rolls of Celebi entities for cargo and ground handling services at IGI Airport will be transitioned to the new employer.

Celebi Delhi, a joint venture between Celebi Turkey and DIAL, held a 43% market share in fiscal 2024, handling 4.65 lakh metric tonnes of cargo.

Shares of Celebi tanked 10% in Istanbul stock market on Thursday after the news of India revoking the security clearance of its three local units emerged.