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India has revoked the security clearance of Türkiye-based Celebi Aviation, which handles about 70% of ground operations at Mumbai Airport, citing national security concerns amid growing boycott calls against Ankara for its support of Pakistan.
The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) announced Thursday that the clearance granted to Celebi Aviation under its ground handling services category has been withdrawn with immediate effect.
“Celebi Aviation's security clearance in the category of Ground Handling Services was approved by the Directorate General of BCAS through the letter dated 21.11.2022 and numbered 15/99/2022-Delhi-BCAS/E-219110. By exercising the authority granted to the Directorate General of BCAS, Celebi Aviation's security clearance has been revoked with immediate effect in view of national security,” the statement said. “This matter is subject to the approval of the Directorate General of BCAS.”
The decision follows public criticism from Shiv Sena, a Hindu nationalist political party based in Maharashtra. Party leader Murji Patel accused Türkiye of supporting Pakistan, India’s regional rival, and condemned the presence of Turkish companies in India.
“Türkiye is helping Pakistan. How can we allow their companies to profit here?” Patel told reporters. He said Shiv Sena had met with the Mumbai Police Commissioner to raise concerns and would work to block Turkish firms from securing future tenders in Maharashtra.
The move comes days after the Indian government banned access to TRT World, the international broadcasting arm of Türkiye’s state-run media outlet TRT, in response to Türkiye’s expression of support for Pakistan..
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In a statement issued after the revocation, Celebi Aviation said it would pursue all legal and administrative remedies to overturn the decision, calling the allegations “unfair and false.”
“As a result of the cancellation of security clearances based on unfair and false allegations by administrative authorities, our company and its subsidiaries bear no responsibility for any potential difficulties, delays, developments negatively affecting airport operations and civil air traffic at airports in India,” the statement read. “Our company will pursue all relevant administrative and legal remedies to clarify these false allegations and consequently annul these instructions.”
The diplomatic fallout follows a series of violent clashes between India and Pakistan. On April 22, Indian forces launched missile strikes on May 6 in retaliation for a deadly terrorist attack in the Pahalgam region that killed 26 people.
India claimed it struck nine militant targets across the border, including in the disputed Azad Kashmir region under Pakistani control. Pakistan responded by accusing India of targeting civilian areas, resulting in 31 deaths and 57 injuries.
Islamabad also claimed to have downed five Indian fighter jets and neutralized 25 Indian “Harop” drones. New Delhi has not confirmed the aircraft losses.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a cabinet meeting, described the operation as a “moment of pride” and named it “Sindoor Operation.” In turn, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the attacks and vowed retribution, warning that India “would suffer the consequences.”
During this period of heightened tensions, Türkiye publicly expressed solidarity with Pakistan. Sharif thanked Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, stating: “My dear brother, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's strong support and unwavering solidarity with Pakistan has deeply moved me.”
As tensions escalated, Celebi Aviation announced via Türkiye’s Public Disclosure Platform (KAP) that it had requested a temporary halt in the trading of its shares.
“Trading of CLEBI.E (CELEBI HAVACILIK SERVISI A.S.) has been temporarily suspended upon the company’s request, in accordance with Article 4.3.4.2 of the Equity Market Procedure,” the KAP statement said.
In a disclosure five days earlier, the company said it was closely monitoring the India-Pakistan border situation, adding that it had no immediate impact on its subsidiaries operating far from the conflict zone. The company pledged to inform the public should any significant developments occur.
Founded in 1958, Celebi Aviation Holding is Türkiye’s first private ground handling company. It provides a comprehensive range of services including ramp, passenger, cargo, warehouse management, bridge operations, general aviation, lounge management and premium services.
The company operates in 70 stations across six countries on three continents and employs nearly 15,000 people worldwide.
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