Key Points
- India has revoked the security clearance of Turkish ground handling giant Celebi Aviation, immediately halting its operations at nine major Indian airports due to national security concerns.
- The move follows Turkey’s open support for Pakistan after the Pahalgam terror attack and the use of Turkish drones by Pakistan against India.
- Celebi handled critical ground and cargo operations at airports including Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, Cochin, Kannur, Goa, and Ahmedabad, covering about 65% of Indian aviation traffic.
- The government and airport operators are working to ensure seamless transition and retain Celebi’s 7,800 Indian employees.
- The backlash against Turkey includes a nationwide boycott of Turkish goods, marble, and fruit, as well as a sharp drop in Indian tourism to Turkey and Azerbaijan.
- Leading Indian universities, including JNU and Jamia Millia Islamia, have suspended all academic ties with Turkish institutions over national security concerns.
New Delhi: In a sweeping national security move, the Indian government has revoked the security clearance of Turkish ground handling major Celebi Aviation, forcing it to immediately cease operations at nine of India’s busiest airports. The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) announced the decision late Thursday, citing “national interests” and “public safety” as paramount. Celebi’s exit impacts critical ground and cargo handling at major hubs including Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, Cochin, Kannur, Goa (Mopa), and Ahmedabad.
Celebi, which managed 65% of India’s aviation ground handling and handled 58,000 flights annually, now faces a crippling operational setback in one of its largest overseas markets. The company’s Indian arm employed about 7,800 staff, and the government is working to ensure their retention and a smooth transition to other agencies.
Why Was Celebi Targeted?
The crackdown comes amid a wave of public and political outrage over Turkey’s support for Pakistan during the recent India-Pakistan conflict, including the supply of Turkish drones used by Pakistan against Indian targets. Concerns were also raised about a Turkish firm’s access to sensitive airport infrastructure at a time of heightened security risk.
Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu emphasized that “nothing is above the security of our nation and our fellow citizens,” and that national interest is “paramount and non-negotiable”. The ministry has assured that passenger and cargo operations will remain unaffected, with special teams deployed to manage the transition and protect jobs.
Wider Boycott: Trade, Tourism, and Academia
India’s response to Turkey’s stance has gone far beyond aviation:
- Trade and Goods: Indian traders have announced a boycott of Turkish goods, including apples and marble. Udaipur’s marble association, for example, has banned imports from Turkey, which supplies 70% of India’s marble imports.
- Tourism: Indian travel to Turkey and Azerbaijan has plummeted, with bookings dropping by 60% and cancellations soaring by 250% in just a week. Indian tourists spent over $350 million in Turkey in 2024, and the boycott is expected to hit the Turkish tourism sector hard.
- Academia: Leading universities like JNU, Jamia Millia Islamia, and Kanpur University have suspended all MoUs and academic partnerships with Turkish institutions, citing national security concerns and solidarity with the government.
Celebi’s Response
Celebi Airport Services India has defended itself, claiming it is “truly an Indian enterprise” led by Indian professionals and majority-owned by global institutional investors, not the Turkish government. The company rejected allegations of political links and clarified that no member of Turkish President Erdogan’s family is involved in ownership.
What Happens Next?
Airports previously served by Celebi are now coordinating with alternate ground handling providers to ensure uninterrupted services. Fresh tenders are expected to be floated soon to appoint new service providers, and all affected staff are being considered for retention by incoming agencies.
India’s decisive action against Celebi Aviation marks a turning point in Indo-Turkish relations, reflecting the country’s resolve to prioritize national security and economic interests in response to any foreign support for adversaries. The fallout is being felt across trade, tourism, and academia, signaling a broad-based pushback against Turkey’s recent policies.
