Centre Revokes Airport Access for Turkish Ground Handler Celebi Over National Security Threats
Reported by Mubarak Ansari
New Delhi/Pune, 15th May 2025: In a significant move citing national security concerns, the central government has cancelled the security clearance of Celebi Airport Services India Private Limited, a Turkish firm providing ground handling services at several major Indian airports. The decision, announced on Friday by the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), is effective immediately.
The Ministry of Civil Aviation stated that the step was taken in the interest of national security. Celebi, a subsidiary of Turkey-based Celebi Aviation Holding, operates at key airports including Mumbai, Delhi, and Hyderabad, offering services such as baggage handling, ramp assistance, and cargo operations, confirmed MoS Murlidhar Mohol.
Celebi employees are stationed in high-security airside zones of airports, which involve direct interaction with aircraft, cargo logistics, and passenger baggage handling. The removal of the company’s security clearance will likely impact ground handling operations at these critical locations.
Rising Strategic Tensions Linked to Turkey-Pakistan Military Ties
This action comes amid growing concerns over Turkey’s military cooperation with Pakistan, particularly its support in operations against India. Military officials also allege that Turkish advisors had assisted Pakistan in executing drone strikes following Operation Sindoor.
While the government has not publicly linked the cancellation to these military developments, officials familiar with the matter suggest that strategic security risks involving foreign entities at sensitive infrastructure like airports played a key role in the decision.
Celebi began operations in India in 2009 and has since become one of the major ground handling service providers at Indian airports. The company employs thousands of staff involved in ramp services, cargo movement, and aircraft support activities — all within secure airport zones.
With the cancellation order now in place, airports and airlines may need to quickly shift to alternate service providers to maintain seamless operations.
